Kyle Odom, the former Marine suspected of shooting Idaho pastor Tim Remington on Sunday, was arrested Tuesday evening outside the White House, according to Coeur d’Alene police and the Secret Service.
The Secret Service said in a statement that Odom “threw unknown material over the south fence line at the White House Complex.â€
He was immediately taken into custody.
Hours earlier, someone posted a message to Odom’s Facebook page claiming Remington was shot because the pastor was “from Mars†and had “ruined†Odom’s life, according to Washington television station KXLY.
Odom’s Facebook profile picture also was changed to a drawing of an alien.
Police in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where the shooting took place, said Monday that Odom had a history of mental illness.
Remington was shot several times in the head and back after delivering his Sunday sermon at the Altar Church.
The shooting gained national attention, in part because Remington had prayed with Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at a campaign rally in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday.
Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said that a person thought to be Odom had sent a “rambling†manifesto to media outlets.
A copy of the manifesto, posted online by television station KHQ, shows that a section of it was addressed to President Obama. In it, Odom asks Obama to resist the aliens, writing: “It’s time someone took a stand to end this nonsense.â€
Another section, titled “noteworthy Martians,†lists 50 members of Congress — including members of both parties — and dozens of Israeli officials.
The manifesto also makes threats against a second Altar Church pastor, who was placed under police protection, according to White.
“What he wrote definitely played a part in raising our awareness and concern,†White said of the manifesto.
The police chief added that he thought the Facebook post was genuine, as it was “consistent with other information we have received.â€
White also read a statement from Odom’s family members, who said they were completely unaware of Odom’s plans and asked for privacy.
“We are truly thankful to God he is safe and no one else has been injured,†the family said in the statement.
According to KXLY, the following message was posted to Odom’s Facebook page on Tuesday:
“Things are not what they appear to be. The world is ruled by ancient civilization from Mars. Pastor Tim was one of them, and he was the reason my life was ruined. I will be sharing my story with as many people as possible. I don’t have time right now, they are chasing me. I shot Pastor Tim 12 times, there is no way any human could have survived that event. Anyway, I have sent my story to all the major news organizations. I have no time, I have to go.â€
The Secret Service released the following statement Tuesday night:
Secret Service wrote:
On March 8, 2016 at approximately 8:30 pm, an individual, later identified as Kyle A. Odom, threw unknown material over the south fence line at the White House Complex. Odom was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Secret Service, Uniformed Officers. The material thrown by Odom was determined to be non-hazardous.
As per standard procedures, Odom was queried through law enforcement databases. As a result, an outstanding warrant for attempted murder-first degree, filed by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho for Odom’s arrest was discovered. Odom was arrested on the outstanding warrant, and he was transported to the Metropolitan Police Department for processing.
The U.S. Secret Service, through its Washington Field Office and Spokane Resident Office, is coordinating with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Remington is in stable condition despite being shot as many as six times, his son told local television station KREM.
John Padula, the second Altar Church pastor threatened in Odom’s letter, said Remington regained consciousness Monday.
“He’s whispering and talking to his family a little bit,†Padula told the Associated Press. “He’s doing absolutely amazing. He gave me a thumbs-up last night when I went in.â€