Shock twist as Pennsylvania man who pulled gun on pastor in church is charged with homicide after his cousin was found dead in his home
A Pennsylvania man arrested after pulling a gun on a sermon mid-sermon has been charged with murder after his cousin was found dead in the gunman’s home later that day.
Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, was charged after he entered church Sunday and tried to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany as he gave his weekly sermon at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church.
The attempted shooting happened just after 1pm on Sunday and was captured on video and posted online for all to see the horrific moment.
On Sunday around 8 p.m., the body of Derek Polite, 56, was found dead in Bernard’s home. KDKA.
On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Polite – identified as Derek’s cousin – had been charged with murder in connection with Derek’s death. Local news media had reported that the two were living together.
Bernard Polite, 26, a Pennsylvania man who was arrested after pulling a gun on a sermon mid-sermon, has been charged with murder after his cousin was found dead in the gunman’s home later that day
On Sunday around 8 p.m., the body of Derek Polite, 56, was found dead in Bernard’s home. On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Polite – identified as Derek’s cousin – had been charged with murder in connection with Derek’s death.
Detectives said witnesses in the area saw the suspected shooter “pacing outside the home” earlier that morning before delivering the sermon.
A neighbor also claimed to have heard a sound that he thought might have been a gunshot.
The indictment against Polite states that he confessed to trying to kill the preacher because, as he told a soldier, “God told him to do it.”
He is in custody awaiting arraignment. Bernard was arraigned early Monday morning on charges related to the incident at the church, including attempted murder.
Video of the moment in church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun being fired at him by a disheveled-looking man.
Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was immediately tackled by the church’s deacon Clarence McCallister, who jumped in front of the camera and tackled the perpetrator to the ground.
McCallister said CBS News that he “saw something that needed to be done, and I jumped up and took care of my business.”
Germany, whose life was likely saved by McCallister’s quick thinking, called him a “hero” but also credited God as the one who “stopped and blocked this weapon.”
Detectives said witnesses in the area saw the suspected shooter “pacing outside the home” earlier that morning before delivering the sermon.
Polite was charged after he entered the church on Sunday and tried to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany as he gave his weekly sermon at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church
The pair were then able to control Polite until police arrived and he was taken into custody.
“This guy was just dealing with ghosts, he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot someone,” the pastor said.
He said Polite, who eventually apologized to Germany, was clearly dealing with some form of mental illness.
The pastor said he has forgiven his near-killer, but he has not yet personally processed the events of that day.
“The thing that hurts me the most and brings tears to my eyes is because I couldn’t see my daughter break down,” he said.
The spiritual leader’s 14-year-old sat between the pews during the service, which took a dark turn.
“I still had to be strong, because I had to be strong for her, but I couldn’t bear it, and just seeing her is the part that’s hard for me to digest,” Germany added.
Before the shooting, Germany said Polite gave him a grin and walked in and out of the service a number of times.
Pastor Glenn Germany said Polite ultimately apologized to Germany and is clearly dealing with some form of mental illness
Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was immediately tackled by church deacon Clarence McCallister, who jumped in front of the camera and tackled the perpetrator to the ground.
Video of the moment in church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun being fired at him by a disheveled-looking man
He hopes to use the shocking incident to highlight the reality and seriousness of mental illness in their own community and beyond.
The young man is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted murder.
He was denied bail and will face a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.