Dramatic Video Captures the Heart-Stopping Moment a Gunman Aims at Pastor During Sunday Sermon

Shocking footage has surfaced of a chilling incident in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, where an armed man interrupted a church service, pointing a gun directly at the pastor mid-sermon. Witnesses and the pastor himself provide gripping accounts of the harrowing ordeal.

In a scene that has sent shockwaves across the nation, a man armed with a handgun approached the pulpit at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, on Sunday morning, May 5th, 2024, and pointed it at the pastor, Rev. Glenn Germany. The congregants watched in disbelief as the pastor flinched and dove behind the pulpit, while the man's finger tightened on the trigger.

"I heard it click, and my heart dropped. I thought, 'Oh my God, thank God that gun jammed,'" said Deacon Clarence McCallister, who captured the entire incident on video. The camera footage, posted online, has since gone viral, showcasing the heroics of McCallister, who risked his own life to intervene.

As the gun failed to fire, McCallister, who works as a heavy equipment specialist for the city of Pittsburgh, leapt over a railing and tackled the gunman, identified by police as 26-year-old Bernard Polite. With the help of other congregants, McCallister disarmed Polite, preventing a potential tragedy.

"My pastor's life was in danger. I had to do something," McCallister explained. "I put his arms to his sides so he couldn't move, turned him around, and sat him down."

Pastor Germany re-emerged from behind the pulpit and assisted McCallister in disarming the suspect. "Call the police, somebody," McCallister can be heard saying on the video, his voice thick with emotion.

Polite was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police and Allegheny County police. Public records indicate he has ties to New Jersey, and his home in a nearby area reportedly yielded a deceased individual, leading to a separate homicide investigation.

Witnesses and police documents suggest that Polite displayed signs of mental illness during the incident. "He was in the church for a while. He could have killed anybody, but the voice that he heard told him to kill the pastor," McCallister said. "He claimed he had been possessed by spirits, and he sat smiling as he was being restrained."

"Mental illness is serious," McCallister emphasized. "This is something that needs to be taken seriously, and we need to do our best to recognize it."

Both McCallister and Germany expressed gratitude for the lack of injuries and the swift action taken by congregants. "I'm grateful to be alive. I'm in excellent spirits," Germany told Fox News Digital on Monday.

Polite is currently being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 13th.

The incident has highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and the dangers posed by individuals who may be suffering from such conditions. It has also brought into focus the courage and selflessness of individuals like McCallister, who put their own safety at risk to protect others.