A Pennsylvania man who was arrested after he pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of his sermon has been charged with homicide after his cousin was found dead in the gunman’s home later that day.
Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church.
The attempted shooting took place at just after 1pm Sunday and was captured on video and posted online for all to see the horrifying moment.
At around 8pm Sunday, the body of Derek Pilote, 56, was found dead at Bernard’s home, according to KDKA.
On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Pilote – identified as Derek’s cousin – had been charged with homicide in connection with Derek’s death. Local news outlets had reported that the two lived together.
Bernard Polite, 26, a Pennsylvania man who was arrested after he pulled a gun on a pastor in the middle of his sermon has been charged with homicide after his cousin was found dead in the gunman’s home later that day
At around 8pm Sunday, the body of Derek Pilote, 56, was found dead at Bernard’s home. On Tuesday, police announced that Bernard Pilote – identified as Derek’s cousin – had been charged with homicide in connection with Derek’s death
Detectives said that witnesses in the area saw the suspected gunman ‘pacing outside the residence’ earlier that morning before he held up the sermon.
A neighbor also claimed to have heard a noise they felt could have been a gunshot.
The criminal complaint against Pilote says that he confessed to attempting to kill the pastor because, as he told a trooper, ‘God told him to do it.’
He has been held in jail pending an arraignment. Bernard was initially arraigned early Monday morning on charges connected to the incident in the church, including attempted homicide.
Video of the moment at the church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun that is fired at him by a disheveled-looking man.
Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was then promptly tackled by the church’s Deacon Clarence McCallister, who can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the offender to the floor.
McCallister told CBS News that he saw ‘something that need(ed) to be done, and I jumped up and handled my business.’
Germany, whose live was likely saved by McCallister’s quick thinking, called him a ‘hero,’ but also credited God with being the one who ‘stopped and jammed this gun.’
Detectives said that witnesses in the area saw the suspected gunman ‘pacing outside the residence’ earlier that morning before he held up the sermon
Polite was charged after he entered the church Sunday and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany as he delivered his weekly address at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church
The pair were then able to keep Polite under control until police arrived and he was taken into custody.
‘This guy was just dealing with spirits he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot somebody,’ said the pastor.
He said that Polite, who ultimately apologized to Germany, is clearly facing a form of mental illness.
The pastor said he forgave his almost-killer, but hasn’t personally processed the day’s events yet.
‘The thing that hurts me the most and brings tears to my eyes because I couldn’t watch my daughter break down,’ he said.
The spiritual leader’s 14-year-old was sitting among the pews during the service that took a dark turn.
‘I still had to be strong, because I had to be strong for her, but I couldn’t take it, and just seeing her, that’s the part that’s hard for me to digest,’ added Germany.
Ahead of the shooting, Germany said Polite flashed him a grin and walked in and out of the service a number of times.
Pastor Glenn Germany said that Polite ultimately apologized to Germany and is clearly facing a form of mental illness
Miraculously, no bullet came out and the shooter was then promptly tackled by the church’s Deacon Clarence McCallister, who can be seen leaping in front of the camera and tackling the offender to the floor
Video of the moment at the church Sunday shows the moment Germany finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun that is fired at him by a disheveled-looking man
He hopes to use the shocking incident to stress the reality and severity of mental illness in their own community and beyond.
The young man is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.
He was denied bail and is set to face a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.
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