Man arrested after pointing gun at pastor during sermon in suburban Pittsburgh church

NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. — A pastor in suburban Pittsburgh was not hurt after he was confronted by a man who pointed a pistol at him during a service on Sunday, authorities said.

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Glenn Germany was delivering a sermon at the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock when a man walked up to him and pointed a gun, WPXI-TV reported. As Germany ducked behind a lectern, the man’s gun jammed.

The Pennsylvania State Police identified the suspect as Bernard Junior Polite, 26, of Braddock.

The incident, which occurred at 1:09 p.m. EDT, was caught on video as the service was being livestreamed.

Church members quickly jumped into action, wrestling Polite to the ground. Germany joined in the struggle and was able to help wrest the weapon from the man’s hands, WPXI reported.

“He pulled the gun; it clicked,” Germany said, according to the television station. “You heard him shoot it. God jammed the gun so the bullet didn’t come out.”

The congregation had about 25 parishioners, including Germany’s daughter, when Polite walked from the back of the church, WPXI reported.

“He stood up and he smiled at me. And it was just a smile,” Germany said. “He comes to right here and then all of a sudden, that’s when I see him pull the gun and all I could do is duck and try to get out of the way.”

Deacon Clarence McCallister, 63, quickly took Polite to the ground. McCallister was behind the camera taping the service a few feet away.

“Once I seen a gun, then I leaped out of my seat and leaped over that railing, and I tackled him down to the ground,” McCallister told WPXI. “The man had his back turned towards me and I could see he would never see me coming.”

“Thank GOD for Deacon Clarence McCallister the true GOD Sent Hero,” Germany wrote in a Facebook post later Sunday.

Polite is facing attempted homicide charges, state police said.

“He actually apologized to me,” Germany told WPXI. “I told him that ‘I forgive you and want you to know I love you,’ but yes, I definitely forgave him.”

Polite was arraigned Monday morning and was denied bail, CNN reported. He is being held at Allegheny County Jail; his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 13, according to the cable news outlet.

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