Pennsylvania Pastor Ducks for Cover During Sermon as Armed Man Points Gun at Him, Heroic Parishioner Tackles Suspect
A Pennsylvania pastor found himself in a terrifying situation during his sermon on Sunday when an armed man walked to the front of the church and pointed a gun at him from just steps away. The incident, which took place at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, was captured on video and showed the pastor, Rev. Glenn Germany, ducking for cover behind the pulpit before emerging to help wrestle the gun away.
A parishioner near the front row quickly sprang into action, running up and tackling the suspect from behind. With the help of other churchgoers, they were able to disarm and hold down the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Bernard Polite, before police arrived on the scene.
In a miraculous turn of events, the gun jammed, sparing Rev. Germany’s life. He later expressed his gratitude for being alive and in “excellent” spirits. The pastor revealed that the suspect, who appeared to be mentally ill, claimed to be “possessed by spirits” and said that he had been told by police that another man’s body was found in a home on Stokes Avenue.
Polite now faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. He is being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail and is due back in court on May 13. According to a criminal complaint, Polite allegedly told police that “God told me to do it” and that he wanted to go to jail to “clear his mind.”
The Allegheny County Police Department has also launched a homicide investigation into the death on Stokes Avenue. Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, Rev. Germany remains grateful for the heroic actions of the parishioner who tackled the suspect and the protection he believes was provided by a higher power.
