Pastor Survives Gun Jam and Offers Forgiveness to Would-be Attacker

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
07/05/2024 20h38

In a shocking incident at a church in Pennsylvania, Pastor James Germany narrowly escaped a potentially fatal shooting after a gunman's weapon jammed, allowing another church member to tackle him to the ground. The extraordinary turn of events was captured on the church's live-streaming video, leaving viewers in disbelief.

The incident took place during Germany's sermon on "walking in the ways of God." As the pastor spoke, a young man clad in a black T-shirt calmly approached the pulpit, raised a gun towards Germany's face, and pulled the trigger. However, to everyone's astonishment, no gunshot was heard. It was later revealed that the bullet had become lodged in the chamber, preventing it from firing.

Clarence McCallister, a deacon who was operating the video camera around 20 feet away, witnessed the gunman's attempt on the pastor's life. Without hesitation, McCallister, a former cross-country runner, sprinted towards the pulpit, hurdling over a wooden railing to subdue the gunman. Germany promptly joined in the effort, and together, they managed to restrain the assailant until the arrival of the police.

In a remarkable display of compassion, Germany engaged the gunman in conversation and discovered that he believed "spirits got into his head." Despite the terrifying encounter, the pastor expressed empathy and told the assailant that he was not angry, but loved him instead. The gunman, visibly remorseful, apologized to Germany for his actions.

Police subsequently took the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite, into custody. Upon examination of the gun, it was found that the live bullet had indeed become firmly lodged in the chamber, causing the weapon to malfunction. Germany was shown the dented bullet as evidence of his miraculous survival.

While the pastor seemed to be coping well with the traumatic experience, he expressed concern for the emotional well-being of his daughter, who was deeply affected by the news of her father's ordeal. In an effort to distract her from the distressing incident, Germany took her to a restaurant with games.

In a tragic twist, it was discovered that Bernard Polite, the would-be assailant, had a relative named Derek Polite, whose body was found at Bernard's home. The relationship between the two men remains unclear at this stage, and Derek Polite's death is currently under investigation.

Bernard Polite now faces charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person. As of now, it is unknown whether he has legal representation. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Reflecting on the harrowing incident, Germany attributed his survival to "the ways of God" - the very topic he was preaching about when the attack took place. The pastor believes that walking in the path that God intends provides his followers with divine protection, citing the gun malfunction as a testament to this belief. Germany expressed gratitude to God, stating that he witnessed the intervention of angels ensuring his safety.

As the investigation continues and the community processes this alarming incident, Germany's act of forgiveness and compassion towards his would-be attacker serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of adversity.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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