A Pennsylvania man who allegedly pointed a gun at a pastor during a sermon has been charged with murder, authorities announced Tuesday, ABC News reported.
Bernard Jr. Polite, 26, is charged with murder after a dramatic confrontation during a church service at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on Sunday, when Polite allegedly attempted to shoot Pastor Glenn German during a sermon, an act he later attributed to God’s teachings. according to Go to ABC News. The suspect claimed that God made him do the act.
A potential tragedy was averted during a live-streamed church service when Polite’s gun jammed before he could pull the trigger and allegedly tried to shoot the pastor while he was speaking. This breakdown gave the church deacon Clarence McAllister the opportunity to tackle Polite from behind. Germany called the incident a miracle and praised McAllister’s brave actions, the paper said.
“He pulled the trigger and a miracle of God happened that the gun jammed. That bullet had a name,” German said, ABC News reported. (Related: Church pastor arrested for murder plot against daughter’s boyfriend)
Polite’s body was reportedly found at his home after he was arrested at the church. Additional murder charges were filed against Polite after his cousin, Derek Polite, 56, was found dead from a gunshot wound. Neighbors reported hearing noises they thought were gunshots and had observed Polite walking outside his home earlier that day, further raising suspicions about his actions, ABC News said.
Bernard Polite is currently being held in jail awaiting arraignment as investigations into both the attempted shooting and the death of his cousin continue, according to ABC News.
