A man who tried to shoot a priest during his service at a church was wrestled to the floor after his gun misfired, according to police.
Bernard J. Polite, 26, said “God made me do it” and planned to “wait to be arrested,” court documents reveal, when he entered the Pennsylvania church just after 1pm on Sunday.
Glenn Germany, who preached live from the Church of Jesus’ Abode, told WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh that Polite smiled at him just before he pointed the gun.
He ran away as someone from the congregation tackled Polite, before he helped retrieve the gun and hold him down until officers arrived.
“I feel grateful that I woke up this morning and that I’m here, it could have gone the other way,” Mr Germany said on Monday.
“But God intervened and I thank him.”
Polite was not known at the church, officials said, and court filings say he wandered to the church after hearing music coming from there.
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The body of a shooting victim was found in a home near the church in North Braddock, where Polite had been shortly before going to church, county police said.
The district attorney’s office identified the body as Derek Polite, 56, of North Braddock, but did not confirm any specific relationship to Bernard Polite.
Polite faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault and attempted murder, and is being held without bail.
State police said they don’t know if Polite has an attorney, and county court records do not list one.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the church said Pastor Glenn was “doing well” and “he says he is doing great and blessed to be alive”.
“He sends his love to everyone and he thanks you all for your prayers and concerns,” it added.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
