Shocking moment Pennsylvania man pulls a gun on pastor in front of horrified congregation

Release time：2024-05-07 14:30:12 Source：World Watch news portal

A church service in Pennsylvania nearly took a fatal turn this week when a man pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of his sermon.

Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church.

The attempted shooting took place at just after 1pm Sunday and was captured on video and posted online for all to see the horrifying moment.

The video shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun that is fired at him by a disheveled-looking man.

Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was then promptly tackled by the church's Deacon Clarence McCallister, who can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the offender to the floor.

Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church

McCallister told CBS News that he saw 'something that need(ed) to be done, and I jumped up and handled my business.'

Germany, whose live was likely saved by McCallister's quick thinking, called him a 'hero,' but also credited God with being the one who 'stopped and jammed this gun.'

The pair were then able to keep Polite under control until police arrived and he was taken into custody.

'This guy was just dealing with spirits he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot somebody,' said the pastor.

He said that Polite, who ultimately apologized to Germany, is clearly facing a form of mental illness.

The pastor said he forgave his almost-killer, but hasn't personally processed the day's events yet.

'The thing that hurts me the most and brings tears to my eyes because I couldn't watch my daughter break down,' he said.

The spiritual leader's 14-year-old was sitting among the pews during the service that took a dark turn.

'I still had to be strong, because I had to be strong for her, but I couldn't take it, and just seeing her, that's the part that's hard for me to digest,' added Germany.

Bernard Polite, 26, is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide for attempting to fire a gun at a Pennsylvania church's pastor on Sunday

Pastor Glenn Germany was nearly shot to death Sunday as he delivered his sermon

Deacon Clarence McCallister thankfully thought fast 

Shocked church-goers look stunned in the aftermath of an attempted shooting at a Pennsylvania service on Sunday

Ahead of the shooting, Germany said Polite flashed him a grin and walked in and out of the service a number of times.

He hopes to use the shocking incident to stress the reality and severity of mental illness in their own community and beyond.

The young man is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.

He was denied bail and is set to face a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.

Authorities are also investigating after a man was found shot to death inside the home where Polite resides, less than half-a-mile away from the church.

Police say they found a man, identified as 56-year-old Derek Polite, shot to death. The relationship between the two Polites is not 100 percent clear, but local outlets have reported that the would-be church shooter lived with his uncle.

Related articles