PA Church Gunman Stopped by Parishioner Now Charged in His Cousin's Death

A Pennsylvania man who attempted to shoot a pastor on Sunday during a livestreamed church service is now charged in the death of his own cousin that happened hours before.

Bernard Junior Polite, 26, faces one count of criminal homicide after Allegheny County authorities found his 56-year-old cousin dead in a "pool of blood" at their shared residence, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Newsweek.

The Allegheny County Police Department police received a report around 8 p.m. Sunday that Derek Polite was found shot at his North Braddock home. His cause of death was determined to be a single gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

How police found the alleged killer

Earlier in the day shortly after 1 p.m., the victim's cousin Bernard Polite was arrested and charged by Pennsylvania State Police for an attempted shooting at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in Braddock. He was seen on a church livestream pointing a firearm at Rev. Glenn Germany as he delivered a sermon. He attempted to fire the weapon, but it failed to discharge.

"He stopped and he pulled out the gun, and that's when everything from there got real," Germany told Newsweek.

Germany quickly ran out of the way and hid behind a podium.

"I didn't have time to really think, Germany said.

Deacon Clarence McCallister tackled the gunman. Germany assisted McCallister with subduing the gunman until law enforcement arrived.

"By him reacting, it gave me the chance to come from behind the podium and help him out," Germany said.

After Derek Polite's family members saw his cousin being arrested for the attempted shooting at the church on the news, they went to his North Braddock home to check on him. The relatives found him "in a pool of blood" inside the home.

A neighbor told police that Bernard Polite was pacing on the front porch of the home earlier that day. Another neighbor reported hearing a noise that could have been a gunshot at around 10 a.m.

Pennsylvania State Police recovered a gun after the attempted shooting at the church. Officials later determined that a projectile recovered from the victim matched the weapon.

Germany recalled his reaction to hearing about the deceased victim during his interview with Newsweek.

"That's when the reality really sunk in that that gun was loaded, he pulled the trigger, you could've really died today," Germany said. "And it was only the grace of God that allowed that gun to jam and allowed you to live."

Bernard Polite had no known ties to Germany or the church. He is being held at the Allegheny County Jail pending preliminary arraignment. He is also facing charges of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person for the incident at the church, according to court records obtained by Newsweek.