A Sunday morning church service in Pennsylvania was abruptly canceled after authorities say a man pointed a gun at a pastor and attempted to shoot him in front of worshipers.
Police later found a body inside the suspect’s home, ABC News reported. report.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the incident happened just after 1 p.m. at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania.
The victim was preaching when the assassination attempt took place.
Police say the suspect with the gun, identified by police as 26-year-old Bernard Jr. Polite, entered the church and was seen livestreaming the morning of the service, pastor Glenn Germany. It is believed that he tried to shoot him.
Police said the suspect’s firearm misfired, and church members and pastors were able to tackle, subdue and disarm the suspect before he could harm anyone.
Pennsylvania State Police say a man tried to shoot and kill a pastor preaching in North Braddock on Sunday.
Police said the man tried to fire a gun, but it didn’t go off.
He was then tackled and arrested. pic.twitter.com/8lM3vaDArl
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 6, 2024
“I’m grateful that I’m still here because God definitely pulled the trigger,” German told ABC News affiliate. WTAE.
Germany described the alarming encounter and told the media that Polite smiled at him before the attempted attack.
“I started preaching, and all of a sudden I saw him on my left side moving from the back of the church to the front. Then he took up his position in the front corner of the church. , smiled at me,” Germany said.
“All of a sudden I saw a gun pointed at me. All I could do at that point was run and defend myself,” he said.
Polite was charged with attempted murder Monday morning. No one has yet been charged in the fatal shooting.
