Man who threatened murder accused pastor with gun after his cousin was found dead: police

A man who pointed a gun at a pastor at a Pennsylvania church on Sunday has been charged with murder after his cousin was found shot to death, according to Allegheny County police.

Bernard Junior Polite, 26, was arrested Sunday after he allegedly tried to shoot Rev. Glenn Germany during a sermon at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in the Pittsburgh suburb of North Braddock.

The incident, captured on a livestream, showed Polite being attacked from behind by a church deacon after his pistol jammed.

After Polite’s arrest, the body of a 56-year-old man – identified as Derek Polite – was found fatally shot in the suspect’s home, according to authorities.

On Tuesday, police officials said the suspect had been charged with murder in connection with the death of the man said to be his cousin.

Witnesses interviewed by investigators said they saw the suspect “pacing back and forth in front of the house” on the morning of the church incident, and a neighbor “reported hearing a noise that was “It could have been a shot.”

Polite is being held in jail pending his arraignment.

According to a criminal complaint, Polite confessed to trying to kill the pastor and told a police officer, “God told him to do it.”

In a “Good Morning America” ​​interview, the priest said it was a “miracle” that he survived the attempted shooting.

“He pulled the trigger and miraculously the gun stuck. There was a name on the ball,” Germany said.

Germany told “GMA” he saw Polite enter the church and that the man smiled at him before walking to the pulpit and pointing the gun at him. Deacon Clarence McCallister is seen grappling with “politeness” as Germany scurries behind a podium.

“I just jumped up and … pulled his arm to his side and locked him in,” McCallister told “GMA.”

Germany described McCallister’s quick response as “a heroic act the likes of which I have never seen.”