A church service in Pennsylvania was interrupted when a man pulled a gun on the pastor and allegedly attempted to shoot him during his sermon. However, his firearm failed to discharge.
The incident occurred at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, shortly after 1:00 p.m. ET, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
A man points a gun at a church pastor before getting tackled.
The suspected gunman, identified as 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite by police, entered the church and allegedly attempted to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his sermon, which was being live-streamed.
The suspect’s firearm malfunctioned, and a congregation member and the pastor were able to subdue and disarm him before anyone was harmed, police reported.
“I’m thankful to God that I’m still here because he pulled the trigger,” Pastor Germany told ABC News affiliate WTAE.
Describing the alarming encounter, Germany recounted how Polite smiled at him before the attempted attack.
“I started to begin to preach, and all of a sudden, from my left-hand side, I saw him move from the back to the front of the church, and he set up in the front corner of the church and smiled at me,” Germany said.
Man aiming during a past gun shooting competition
“All of a sudden, I just saw a gun pointing right at me. And at that point, all I could try to do is run for cover,” he added.
The pastor praised the congregation member who sprang into action to subdue Polite, saying, “He could have lost his life in that struggle, but he sacrificed himself for everyone, and he’s the hero.”
The suspect was detained at the church until Pennsylvania State Police troopers arrived at the scene and arrested him.
Police confirmed that charges have been filed.
