A Pennsylvania pastor had a harrowing experience during his sermon on Sunday when an armed man entered Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock and pointed a gun at him from close range. The incident was captured on video, showing the pastor ducking for cover behind the pulpit before emerging to help disarm the suspect.
The parishioners sprang into action as a brave individual from the front row tackled the suspect from behind, managing to wrestle the gun away and hold him down until the police arrived. The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Bernard Polite.
Rev. Glenn Germany, the pastor, later revealed that the gun had jammed, which he believed was a miraculous intervention that spared his life. In a Facebook video, he expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal and stated that he was in good spirits despite the traumatic experience.
Germany recounted that the suspect, whom he had never seen before, appeared to be struggling with mental illness and claimed to be 'possessed by spirits.' The pastor described the incident as a young man seizing an opportunity when he saw an open door.
According to court records, Polite is facing charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. He is currently held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 13.
Police reports indicated that Polite allegedly stated that 'God told me to do it,' expressing his intention to harm the pastor and his desire to be incarcerated to 'clear his mind.' Additionally, authorities have launched a homicide investigation into a death on Stokes Avenue, where Polite reportedly has relatives.
The community is shaken by the incident, but the pastor's resilience and the swift action of parishioners have been commended for preventing a potential tragedy. The church congregation has come together in support of Rev. Germany, thankful that he emerged unharmed from the frightening encounter.
