NORTH BRADDOCK, PA – A Pennsylvania man, Bernard Junior Polite, 26, who allegedly attempted to murder a pastor during a sermon, has now been charged with the unrelated murder of his cousin. The same firearm was used in both incidents, according to police.
Polite is said to have entered the Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, taken a seat near the front and then approached the pastor, Rev. Glenn Germany, with a drawn handgun. The incident was caught on camera by Deacon Clarence McCallister, who was live-streaming the service at the time.
Court documents reveal that Polite claimed he was attracted to the church by the music and intended to kill the pastor so he could “clear his mind in jail.” However, the gun misfired when Polite attempted to shoot Germany. McCallister promptly jumped over a railing and tackled Polite, wrestling the gun away with the help of the pastor. They held Polite until the police arrived.
Polite reportedly told Germany that he was hearing voices from spirits urging him to commit murder. Investigators found that the firing pin had struck the primer, but the weapon did not discharge. Polite was smiling as he was restrained, claiming he was possessed by spirits.
Following the church incident, Polite’s relatives alerted Allegheny County Police to a nearby home where Polite lived with his cousin, Derek Polite. Derek was found dead at the scene, with a gunshot wound to the head consistent with the .380-caliber handgun recovered at the church.
Polite is now facing murder charges, along with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. He is currently being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on the murder charge soon.