Church shooting thwarted when attacker’s gun doesn’t fire

Pennsylvania State Police charged a man for attempting to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany during an afternoon service at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in western Pennsylvania. Footage from the live-streamed service shows suspect Bernard Polite approach the altar and point a handgun at Germany. Polite tried to pull the trigger, but the weapon didn’t fire, according to a police statement. A congregant jumped up and grabbed the 26-year-old as he continued to approach Germany after the failed shot. The two wrestled the gun from Polite’s hands and waited for authorities to arrive. God jammed the gun, Germany told local news station WPXI.

What was the motive? Germany said the shooter spoke to him and alleged “spirits” told him to “shoot the pastor.” Polite now faces charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with that incident, according to county documents. Later Sunday night, authorities found a deceased gunshot victim at a nearby home, which the medical examiner later identified as Derek Polite, 56. Authorities have not confirmed if the two are related. A homicide investigation is ongoing.

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s report in Compassion on another church shooting thwarted before it proved fatal.