A man’s attempt to shoot a pastor during a service at a Pennsylvania church because “God told him to” was averted when his gun malfunctioned, and he was unable to shoot. A church member quickly apprehended him, saving the day.
According to the authorities’ report, the incident happened at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock on Sunday, May 5, during a live broadcast service. The perpetrator has been identified as 26-year-old Bernard J. Polite. Polite reportedly entered the church at about 1 p.m. and stepped forward while Rev. Glenn Germany was preaching.
The Incident Unfolds
The clergyman informed WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh that Polite smiled at him when he came in, and their eyes collided just before he lifted the firearm toward him.
The clergyman sought refuge when another member apprehended Polite. Germany and the other faithful members then worked together to extract weapons from Polite, who was quickly overpowered and detained until law enforcement officers came.
Confession
According to the court papers, Polite stated that God instructed him to do so and that he was going to shoot the clergyman. Furthermore, he said he would let the authorities arrest him so he could go to prison to free up the thought in his head.
According to court documents, Polite has been convicted of multiple offenses. Some of them include aggravated assault and attempting to murder. Hence, authorities have been holding him without bail at the Allegheny County prison since the Monday, May 6, incident.
Legal and Judicial Details
Authorities said they did not know if Polite had a lawyer, and administrative district court records have no record of such. According to the officials, one of his victim’s bodies was discovered in an apartment close to the church, where he stayed briefly before he arrived at the church.
Discovery of Other Victim
The district medical examiner’s office identified the body as that of Derek Polite, 56, of North Braddock, but was not sure if he was related to Bernard Polite.
Authorities said he was not known at the church. According to court papers, he went to the church after hearing music coming from there.
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“I’m so grateful to have woken up this morning and to be here. It could have gone in the opposite direction,” the clergyman told the reporters. “But God intervened, and I’m so grateful.”
Reactions and Aftermath
The situation was under control until the authorities arrived. The release states that charges have been filed for attempted murder. Germany, the target of the shooting, said, “I thank God I’m still here because he pulled the trigger.”
He told local news media that he had never seen the suspect before that day. However, he noticed him entering the building and made direct eye contact with him. “I started preaching, and suddenly, to my left, I saw him walking from the back to the front of the church. He sat in the front corner of the church and smiled at me,” Germany said. “Suddenly, I saw a gun pointed straight at me.”
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