Article Summary –
Bernard Junior Polite, a 26-year-old man, pulled a gun on a pastor during a sermon at a Pennsylvania church before his weapon jammed and he was tackled by a church deacon. Following Polite’s arrest, his cousin Derek Polite was found shot dead in the suspect’s home. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect pacing outside his residence on the morning of the church incident, and one heard a noise that could have been a gunshot.
Bernard Junior Polite Arrested for Alleged Church Shooting and Homicide
A man, named Bernard Junior Polite, was taken into custody after allegedly brandishing a gun at a pastor during a sermon at the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. He is now facing homicide charges following the discovery of his cousin’s body.
The altercation was recorded during a livestream of the sermon, where Polite can be seen being tackled by a church deacon after his gun malfunctioned.
Upon apprehending Polite, the body of a 56-year-old man, identified as Derek Polite, was found shot at the suspect’s residence, as per the authorities.
Homicide Charges and Witness Accounts
Law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday that Polite was charged with homicide in relation to his cousin’s death. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect behaving strangely outside his residence on the morning of the church incident, with one neighbor recalling a noise that might have been a gunshot.
Polite is being held in jail pending his arraignment, where he confessed to attempting to kill the pastor, claiming, “God told him to do it.”
Pastor’s Interview and Heroic Deacon
In an interview, Pastor Glenn Germany considered it a “miracle” that he survived the attempted shooting. “He pulled the trigger and a miracle of God happened that the gun got jammed. That bullet had a name on it,” said Germany.
Germany revealed that he noticed Polite entering the church and smiling at him before approaching the pulpit and pointing the gun. The deacon, Clarence McCallister, can be seen in the video tackling Polite as Germany hides behind the podium.
McCallister’s quick response was hailed as an “act of heroism” by Pastor Germany.
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