Police: Suspect in shooting of Idaho pastor arrested outside White House

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- The man suspected of shooting Pastor Tim Remington, 30-year-old Kyle Odom, was arrested outside of the White House and in custody Tuesday evening in Washington D.C., police said during a press conference Tuesday evening.

Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White said Odom was apprehended outside of the White House by Secret Service. He threw several items over the White House fence, which included some flash drives and other unknown items. Hazmat and bomb teams are working to identify the items.

Remington, who was shot six times, regained consciousness and is talking with his family, an associate said Tuesday.

Odom, a former Marine from Coeur d'Alene, is suspected of shooting Remington a day after Remington led the prayer at a weekend campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.

Authorities say there's no indication Remington's appearance with Cruz had anything to do with the shooting, as they work to figure out what motivated the attack outside his church in broad daylight.

"However, it does appear that this was a pre-planned attack," White said Monday. "And I will tell you that some details surrounding Mr. Odom's planning are disturbing."

He did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, several news outlets in Spokane received letters on Tuesday that purported to be from Odom, Coeur d'Alene police Detective Jared Reneau said. The letters, postmarked Monday, contained a sheet of paper that read "The Truth About Kyle Odom," but had nothing else written on them, Reneau said.

"We are trying to confirm their authenticity," Reneau said.

Remington, 55, regained consciousness Monday night in a Coeur d'Alene hospital, said John Padula, outreach pastor for The Altar Church, where Remington is the senior pastor.

"He's whispering and talking to his family a little bit," Padula said Tuesday. "He's doing absolutely amazing. He gave me a thumb's up last night when I went in."

Remington, who is married and has four children, has no feeling in his right arm, Padula said.

Remington and his wife have been with The Altar Church for nearly two decades, and they have specialized in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, Padula said. The church has extensive programs, including in-patient rehabilitation, for addicts, Padula said.

Padula was a meth addict for 17 years before going through the church's program seven years ago, he said.

On Monday, the youth pastor at Altar Church spoke with CBS affiliate KREM about the condition of Remington.

"We just want to be here for everyone in our congregation. Be here for our pastor. We are going to go to the hospital and wait for the word to make sure he is okay," said one church member to KREM.

Later Monday afternoon, the family of Odom released a statement via text message about Sunday's shooting, KREM reported.

"Our family is devastated by Sunday's events," the text continues, "We are praying for Pastor Tim, his family and his continued recovery. We are also praying for Kyles [sic] safe return and to get the help he needs. We love you Kyle! Please respect our family's privacy during this trying time."

Police said Odom drove to the Spokane, Washington, area on Interstate 90 after the Sunday afternoon shooting, according to information from traffic cameras. He then turned south before they lost his trail.

Odom had no connection with the church before showing up before services early Sunday morning, Padula said.

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department issued a warrant of attempted first-degree murder for Odom, who has no criminal record but does have a history of mental illness.

White said Odom was armed when he attended services in the church earlier Sunday, and that the violence could have been much worse.

Odom served in the Marines from 2006-2010, winning an Iraq Campaign Medal and other awards. He rose to the rank of corporal.

Odom later graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in biochemistry.