North Braddock, Pennsylvania – A man who attempted to kill a pastor during a sermon in a Pennsylvania church has been charged with the unrelated murder of his cousin. Bernard Junior Polite, 26, reportedly entered the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church and aimed a gun at the pastor, Rev. Glenn Germany, during the service. Fortunately, the gun misfired, and a heroic deacon, Clarence McCallister, tackled Polite, preventing further harm.
Court documents revealed that Polite claimed he intended to clear his mind in jail by killing the pastor. He attributed the voices in his head, urging him to commit murder, to spirits. Witnesses at the church described the tense moment when the gun failed to discharge, leading to Polite’s arrest.
Following the failed church attack, police were called to a nearby home where Polite lived with his cousin, Derek Polite. Tragically, Derek Polite was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, consistent with the same .380-caliber handgun recovered at the church. Polite now faces charges of murder, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.
McCallister emphasized the seriousness of mental illness, calling for greater awareness and support for those struggling. Both McCallister and Germany expressed shock over the heinous events, noting they had never seen Polite before the incident. Public records show that Polite has ties to New Jersey.
Polite is currently held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail, awaiting arraignment on the murder charge. The community remains shaken by the events, highlighting the need for vigilance in addressing mental health issues and preventing such tragedies in the future.