WHITE HOUSE POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON PRESIDENT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 1, 1950, an assassination attempt was made on President Harry S. Truman here in the Nation's Capital.
The President was taking an early afternoon nap on the second floor of the Blair House* on Pennsylvania Avenue when the sound of gunshots awakened him. Mr. Truman went to the window to see what was going on, but secret service agents quickly moved him to safety.
Two armed Puerto Rican nationalists had walked in opposite directions down the sidewalk toward the Blair House gate when a gun battle ensued with presidential protective security.
White House police officer Leslie Coffelt was mortally wounded but was able to get of a shot off that killed Griselio Torresola. The other Puerto Rican, Oscar Collazo, collapsed at the steps of Blair House with a bullet in his chest.
*The Blair House is known as the President's guest house. It is located at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue NW & has 4 floors & 119 rooms including 14 bedrooms & 35 bathrooms. BH actually has more floor area than does the White House. The Coffelt Memorial Room, dedicated in 1990, is located in the basement.
SOURCE
Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri, www.trumanlibrary.gov
