A man with a gun walked into a Pennsylvania church on Sunday, May 5 and tried to shoot at the pastor during his sermon, and was subdued until police could arrive, according to a video of the incident.
Knewz.com has learned Pastor Glenn Germany was delivering a sermon at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday when an armed man was captured on video aiming a gun at him.
The video, captured by the church's deacon and posted on Facebook by Germany, shows the armed man aiming the gun as Germany dives for cover behind a lectern. Deacon Clarence McCallister can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the would-be shooter.
Germany then comes to assist McCallister, and together they disarm and subdue the man.
Bernard Polite, 26, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.
Later that evening, Allegheny County Police responded to a report of a man found shot to death inside Polite's residence. The victim was identified as 56-year-old Derek Polite.
In an update video posted on Facebook, Germany said Polite's neighbor told him that he shot his relative before going to the church.
"It is presumed that he kill his cousin in his house before he came to the church," Germany said. The residence is about two blocks away from the church.
Germany told KDKA that he was able to speak to Polite while he was in police custody, and believes mental illness played a role in the incident, because he said there were voices in his mind.
"This guy was just dealing with spirits he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot somebody," Germany said. The pastor said Polite apologized to him, and he forgave him.
"The thing that hurts me the most and brings tears to my eyes because I couldn't watch my daughter break down," Germany said of his 14-year-old daughter, who was sitting in the church for the service at the time.
Police are asking anyone with information about the homicide to come forward or submit an anonymous tip.
—TMX contributed to this report.
