On a quiet Sunday afternoon in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, a church service turned into a terrifying scene. At Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church, Pastor Glenn Germany was preaching when a man walked up and pointed a gun at him. The gunman, Bernard J. Polite, 26, tried to shoot but the gun jammed. In that moment of silence, a church member jumped in and tackled the attacker. The pastor was unharmed, but the shock of the event has left many shaken.
The incident took place around 1:00 p.m. while the service was being livestreamed. Pastor Germany said he noticed the man smiling at him before raising the gun. The congregation watched in horror as the gun was aimed at the pastor. But instead of firing, the weapon jammed. That gave just enough time for a quick-thinking church member to stop the attacker.
MAN TRIES TO SHOOT PASTOR IN PENNSYLVANIA BUT THE GUN JAMS!
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) January 20, 2026
Man breaks into a church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania and tries to kiII the pastor but the gun jams. pic.twitter.com/pf1H9fHwce
Police later confirmed that the suspect said “God told him to do it.” This statement has raised concerns about the suspect’s mental health and motives. Authorities also found a body inside the suspect’s home, adding another layer of seriousness to the case.
Pastor Glenn Germany is known in his community for his calm and caring nature. After the incident, he spoke to the media and said he was thankful to be alive. He also praised the church member who tackled the gunman, calling him a hero. The pastor said he had never seen the attacker before and had no idea why he was targeted. This incident teaches us several important lessons:
- Places of worship need better security. Churches are meant to be safe spaces, but this event shows that danger can appear anywhere.
- Mental health matters. The suspect’s claim that “God told him to do it” suggests he may have been struggling mentally.
- Bravery saves lives. The church member who acted quickly prevented a tragedy.
- Live streaming can help. Because the service was online, the video helped police understand what happened.
People across the country were shocked. Many said they couldn’t believe such violence could happen in a church. Others praised the bravery of the person who stopped the attacker. On social media, people shared messages of support for Pastor Germany and his congregation. Church leaders in other cities have started talking about increasing security. Some are considering having trained volunteers or even security guards during services.
Police are investigating the case. Bernard Polite has been arrested and will face serious charges. The body found in his home is also being examined. More details will come out as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Pastor Germany says he will keep preaching. He believes that love and faith are stronger than fear. His message to others is simple: “Don’t let fear stop you from doing what’s right.”
The attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church could have ended in tragedy. But thanks to a jammed gun and a brave church member, lives were saved. This event reminds us that danger can come without warning but courage, quick action, and faith can make all the difference. Churches and communities must now think about how to stay safe while keeping their doors open to all.
