(NewsNation) — A pastor said he is “grateful to be alive,” after surviving an alleged shooting attempt during a church service after the gunman’s weapon apparently jammed, allowing the pastor and a deacon to disarm the suspect before anyone was injured.
Bernard Junior Polite, 26, entered Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church on Sunday in North Braddock shortly after 1 p.m. Video from the church’s livestream shows Polite walking toward the front of the church and pointing a gun at the Rev. Glenn Germany as he was delivering a sermon.
Deacon Clarence McCallister, who was operating the church’s video camera, sprang into action, tackling Polite and restraining him until police arrived.
“The guy had to be taken down. My pastor was in trouble,” McCallister said Monday on NewsNation’s “Banfield.”
Polite allegedly told Germany that “spirits” instructed him to carry out the attack. Germany said that Polite apologized, and Germany said he’s forgiven him. He added that Polite appeared to be suffering from mental illness.
“I told him that I love him and I forgive him,” Germany told NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live.” The pastor’s wife, Carrie, said “as believers, we have to forgive. It may be hard, but that’s our requirement.”
About 25 people, including Germany’s 14-year-old daughter, were in attendance during the incident.
Polite was held at the church until state troopers arrested him. He faces charges of aggravated assault and attempted homicide, police said.
After his arrest, police found the body of a 56-year-old relative, believed to be Polite’s uncle, fatally shot inside Polite’s home, according to authorities.