A man pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of a church service Sunday in Allegheny County.
Police say Bernard Polite, 26, of North Braddock entered Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church just after 2 p.m. and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany, whom he had never met before, while he was delivering a sermon.
No shots were fired, but Bernard told police “God told him to do it.”
He was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.
“In an instance such as this, we are surely thankful that the weapon didn’t discharge,” said Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala. “This could have been much worse, and a devastating circumstance. Our prayers go out to pastor Germany and the Jesus Dwelling Place Church congregation.”
Police also say 56-year-old Derek Polite was found shot to death inside a home Bernard lives in on Stokes Avenue in North Braddock.
It is not yet known if Bernard has any connection to that shooting.