Remington's recovery
COEUR d'ALENE — Despite the discovery of two more bullet wounds, and an emergency colon surgery, pastor Tim Remington is continuing his path toward recovery.
Remington, pastor of The Altar Church in Coeur d'Alene, was shot in the parking lot of the church the afternoon of March 6. Pastor John Padula, an associate pastor at the church, told The Press Tuesday that two additional bullet wounds were recently discovered, bringing the total gunshot wounds to eight, and required Remington to be moved back to the ICU following an emergency surgery to repair a tear in his colon.
"He was doing physical therapy for a couple of hours today and they will be moving him out of ICU," Padula said. "I haven't seen him for about five days, but I've been keeping updated with the family and he seems to be doing absolutely amazing. From what it sounds like, he already wants to be getting up and going. He's a go-getter and is probably having a hard time sitting still."
Padula added that in therapy Tuesday, progress was made in the rehabilitation of Remington's severely injured right arm. Remington was able to squeeze his therapist's hand with enough strength for the therapist to feel the movement, he added.
"That's huge," Padula said. "It's been our biggest prayer request for him because he loves to play the piano and worship."
The response from the entire community in the wake of the shooting has been "absolutely amazing," Padula said. Community members who aren't believers have been offering help, he added, and many have come to know Jesus through the incident.
Churches have also come together to offer anything needed, Padula said. He added that he doesn't see denominations in the community at the moment, instead he sees one church body.
"I would just like to say thank you to the community on behalf of the family, The Altar Church, and the Body of Christ," Padula said.
In light of the shooting, Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Program — a faith-based, residential nonprofit helping men and women with substance abuse issues achieve and maintain a lifetime of sobriety — will host an additional fundraiser this year. Proceeds from the fundraiser, which will be held at The Coeur d'Alene Resort at 5 p.m. on May 1, will help with Remington's medical and rehabilitation expenses.
There are a variety of ways individuals can help raise money through the event, according to a news release. Silent or live auction donations, as well as cash donations, will be accepted in advance of the event.
A tax-deductible receipt will be provided to those who make donations. There will be an opportunity during the event to donate cash, the release adds.
Tickets, which can be purchased by calling The Coeur d'Alene Resort at (208) 765-4000, are $30 per person or $240 for a table that seats eight. For more information, call Nancy Cafferty at (208) 661-4066, Linda Bergquist at (208) 449-2000, or Kari Packer at (509) 994-4576.
"Please join us in Prayer for God’s blessing and provision on this event," the release states. "Help us turn this tragedy into an opportunity to bless more families through the work of Good Samaritan. Pastor Tim has stepped up and helped so many in our community; now it’s time for us to step up and help him and his family."