The individual identified as Bernard J Polite, aged 26, expressed his intention to shoot the pastor, claiming that "God told him to do it." The alarming incident occurred during a Sunday service, causing chaos among the congregation, especially as the service was being livestreamed, as reported by the police.

According to a police press release, Polite, a resident of Braddock, entered the church around 1 p.m. and proceeded toward the front while Rev. Glenn Germany was delivering a sermon. Recounting the ordeal, the pastor revealed that Polite smiled at him and made eye contact before aiming the gun at him. Germany managed to evade the threat by ducking out of the way while another congregant tackled Polite.

With the help of a church member, Germany successfully disarmed Polite, who was then restrained until state troopers arrived at the scene. Polite allegedly stated that "God told me to do it" and expressed his intention to shoot the pastor and await arrest to clear his mind, according to court documents.

Polite faces several charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide, and was held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail. It is unclear if he has legal representation, as state police indicated they were unaware, and county court records did not list an attorney.

Additionally, a deceased victim was discovered in a home near the church where Polite had been before the incident, according to county police. The victim was identified as Derek Polite, aged 56, of North Braddock, although any relation to Bernard Polite remains unspecified.

Church officials noted that Polite was not known to the congregation and appeared to have wandered over after hearing music from the church, according to court documents. Recalling the harrowing event, Pastor Germany expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal and acknowledged the intervention of a higher power.

Germany described Polite as possibly suffering from mental illness, citing his claims of hearing voices instructing him to harm the pastor. Polite is currently facing multiple charges, including attempted homicide, and remains detained in a Pittsburgh jail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for the following week.

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