Bernard Polite, 26, was nabbed after trying to shoot pastor Glenn Germany at the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock on Sunday afternoon, cops said.
A terrifying live-stream of the ordeal showed the pastor ducking for cover as the perp brandished the weapon.
“I’m thankful to God that I’m still here because he definitely pulled the trigger,” Germany told WTAE.
“I started to begin to preach, and all of a sudden, from my left-hand side, I saw him move from the back to the front of the church, and he set up in the front corner of the church and smiled at me.
“All of a sudden, I just saw a gun pointing right at me. And at that point, all I could try to do is run for cover.”
The church’s deacon, Clarence McCallister, was filmed leaping across and tackling Polite in the immediate aftermath. He and the pastor then disarmed the suspect and pinned him down until cops arrived.
Germany, whose 14-year-old daughter was in the church at the time, said the suspect later revealed to him in custody that he’d seen “spirits” in his mind telling him to open fire.
“This guy was just dealing with spirits he said, and he came in and wanted to shoot somebody,” Germany said. “He said you ducked a taco today, that’s what he told me, and I guess that’s slang for you ducked a bullet.”
“He actually apologized to me. I told him ‘I forgive you and want you to know I love you’,” the pastor revealed in a separate interview on NBC’s “Today.”
Polite is facing a slew of charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide.
Meanwhile, Allegheny County Police are investigating after the body of a 56-year-old man was discovered in the home where Polite lived — less than half a mile away from the church.
It wasn’t immediately clear when the victim – identified as Derek Polite – was gunned down.
Cops haven’t disclosed if they have a suspect in that shooting.
The exact relationship between Polite and the victim wasn’t immediately known but local outlets reported the church gunman lived there with his uncle.
Emily Crane:
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