A northwestern Pennsylvania newspaper is apologizing for running a classified advertisement calling for the assassination of President Barack Obama.

Warren Times Observer Publisher John Elchert says the ad appeared Thursday. It read, May Obama follow in the steps of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy! The four presidents were all assassinated.

Elchert tells The Associated Press that the newspapers advertising staff didnt make the historical connection.

He says the newspaper turned information over to police and that the Secret Service is investigating the person who placed the ad.

A note in Fridays paper says the newspaper apologizes for the oversight.