A terrifying ordeal occurred at a church in Pennsylvania over the weekend when a gunman attempted to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany during a sermon. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Bernard Polite, brandished a firearm in the middle of the service, causing chaos as the pastor had to duck for cover. A live-stream captured the frightening incident as the pastor, along with the church’s deacon, tackled the suspect and disarmed him before authorities arrived at the scene. Despite the scare, everyone involved escaped unharmed, and Polite was taken into custody following the incident.
Pastor Germany recounted the harrowing experience, stating that he saw the gunman move to the front of the church and point the gun directly at him. The pastor’s quick reaction to seek cover ultimately saved his life, as the suspect pulled the trigger but was unsuccessful in firing the weapon. After being apprehended, Polite reportedly told the pastor that he was influenced by “spirits” in his mind, motivating him to open fire. Germany extended forgiveness to the suspect, expressing love and understanding towards the troubled individual who attempted to harm him during the service.
In the aftermath of the incident, authorities discovered the body of a 56-year-old man, Derek Polite, in the home where the suspect lived, less than half a mile away from the church. The circumstances of Derek Polite’s death are still under investigation, and it is unclear if Bernard Polite is a suspect in the shooting. The relationship between the victim and the suspect has not been disclosed, but local reports indicated that the church gunman resided in the same residence as his uncle. The presence of these additional details added a layer of complexity to the already shocking incident at the church.
Bernard Polite is currently facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide, in connection to the incident at the church where he attempted to shoot the pastor. The arrest of the suspect brought some relief to the community and the congregation, who had endured a terrifying and potentially tragic situation during what was supposed to be a routine worship service. The swift action of Pastor Germany and the church deacon in subduing the gunman helped prevent further harm and potentially saved lives in the church that day.
Despite the disturbing and violent nature of the church incident, Pastor Germany’s words of forgiveness and compassion towards the suspect demonstrated a spirit of grace and understanding in the face of adversity. The pastor’s willingness to extend forgiveness and express love towards the individual who had attempted to harm him exemplified the message of faith and peace that he preached at the church. In responding to the crisis with compassion and understanding, Pastor Germany showcased the values of forgiveness and goodwill that are foundational to the teachings of Christianity, offering a message of hope and healing in the aftermath of a traumatic event. The community and congregation rallied around Pastor Germany and each other in the wake of the incident, seeking to find solace and strength in their shared faith and sense of community as they processed the events that had unfolded.
