Crime

Pittsburgh-area gunman caught on video taking aim at priest charged with homicide in separate case

By Madeline Bartos, Jennifer Borrasso, Mamie Bah

Updated on: May 7, 2024 / 11:34 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

Man accused of trying to shoot priest charged with homicide in separate case

NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- The man accused of trying to shoot a pastor at a Pittsburgh-area church has been charged with homicide after another person was found shot to death at his home.

Twenty-six-year-old Bernard Polite was charged with attempted homicide after police said he took aim at a pastor giving a sermon inside Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock on Sunday afternoon. The incident was caught on video, and police said after family members saw it, they became worried about the wellbeing of Bernard Polite's cousin Derek Polite.

Pennsylvania State Police have charged Bernard Polite, 26, of Braddock after he entered and attempted to shoot pastor Glenn Germany while the pastor was delivering a sermon at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church on Sunday. Provided

Around 8 p.m. Sunday, police said Derek Polite's nephews went to check on him at his home on Stokes Avenue. They found him lying on the second-floor steps in a pool of blood, police said. Derek Polite was pronounced dead, and Allegheny County's homicide unit was called in.

"There was no indication there was any kind of disturbance in the residence. We saw no evidence that there was any type of altercation. It appears the victim was shot as he was walking up the steps from the first floor to the second floor," said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns.

Detectives determined that Derek Polite had been shot in the head. Police said testing confirmed the projectile recovered from Derek Polite's head matched the handgun that was taken off Bernard Polite at the church. Neighbors told police they heard a single gunshot around 10 a.m. on Sunday, and Kearns said they believe the shooting happened before the incident at the church.

Kearns said he believes Bernard Polite owned the gun that was used. He added that law enforcement did not find any notes at the crime scene.

Pennsylvania man caught on video taking aim at priest charged with homicide in separate case

Later Sunday, around 1 p.m., police said Polite walked into the church and tried to shoot a pastor in the middle of his sermon, but the gun wouldn't discharge.

Video showed the moment the pastor suddenly found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. As the pastor ducked out of the way, a deacon jumped up and tackled Polite. Together they were able to disarm and subdue Polite, holding him until police arrived.

Bernard Polite, who is now facing criminal homicide charges as well, is in the Allegheny County Jail pending arraignment.