A man allegedly shot a pastor in Idaho one day, and two days later was arrested at the White House after tossing objects over the fence.
The two incidents make a strange juxtaposition, and even police say a motive remains unclear.
A lengthy letter allegedly written by the suspect and sent to media outlets is full of strange accusations and beliefs.
Kyle Andrew Odom, 30, was taken into custody at the White House on Tuesday night. He is the suspect in the Sunday shooting of Pastor Tim Remington outside a church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The suspect left behind writings that included the names of the pastor shot and several lawmakers, Coeur d’Alene police Chief Lee White said Wednesday.
“There were a number of people listed in that manifesto. There were a number of U.S. senators and House representatives, along with some Israeli government officials,” White said.
He said their review of evidence had revealed some disturbing details on the suspect, and they took the “extensive” list of names seriously. While he declined to provide details on the list, the chief said it did not contain any specific threats.
“It’s an interesting read,” he said.
Odom’s letter
Police are examining the 21-page letter, in which the writer identifies himself as Odom and claims that his life was ruined by amphibian-humanoids from Mars.
The letter names Pastor Tim Remington, and many others, in wild claims of an alien conspiracy.
A Facebook post attributed to the suspect by the Spokane Spokesman-Review newspaper provided an insight into his possible thinking.
In it, the writer says the world is ruled by “an ancient civilization from Mars,” describing Remington as “one of them.” He says he has no time to share his story but will do so in future.
One part of the letter appears to be a message to President Barack Obama, and other page lists “noteworthy Martians.” Lawmakers and diplomats are among those listed.
Odom’s arrest came after he threw flash drives and other unknown objects over the White House fence, police said.
Hazmat and bomb teams determined the items were nonhazardous, the Secret Service said.
Idaho shooting
The shooting occurred a day after the pastor led the prayer at a weekend campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
“We’ve been waiting for somebody who represented God for a long time,” Remington said at the rally. “We are here to pray that God’s will be done.”
Police have not found any information indicating the shooting was politically motivated.
The pastor was found in the parking lot of the Altar Church on Sunday afternoon with several gunshot wounds. He is expected to survive.
Couer d’Alene police described the shooting as preplanned, but said the motive is unclear.
Suspect allegedly flew from Idaho
After the shooting, Odom flew from Boise, Idaho, to Washington, despite a felony warrant, White said.
“As soon as he was identified … we put a warrant in the system in our national database for attempted first-degree murder,” White said.
“As far as the inner workings of the TSA and how someone with a felony warrant could board an airplane, I’m not the person to answer that.”
White said information on the suspect’s travel plans is still preliminary. But his car was found in Boise and secured by law enforcement officials.
