Bernard Polite who tried to kill a Pennsylvania pastor in front of his congregation Sunday, had shot and killed his cousin at their home hours before, police revealed.
Polite, 26, is now charged with criminal homicide in the death of Derek Polite, 56, and is awaiting arraignment.
Even though the two were cousins, the suspect often referred to Derek Polite as his ‘uncle,’ Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said.
Why He Pulled the Trigger
The motive for the killing in North Braddock remains unclear, Kearns said.
‘It appears the victim was shot as he was walking up the steps from the first floor to the second,’ police said.
Investigation So Far
Ballistics testing revealed the gun used to kill Derek Polite was the same gun recovered Sunday at nearby Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church, where Bernard Polite allegedly pointed a gun at Pastor Glenn Germany’s face and pulled the trigger, police said.
How the Pastor Survived
But the bullet got stuck in the gun’s chamber, and a church deacon managed to tackle the gunman before he could fire another shot.
After the church deacon disarmed the gunman, the pastor held the suspect to the ground and told him he forgave him before police arrived and arrested him early Sunday afternoon.
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Bernard Polite faces charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the church incident, court records show.
His Cousin Was Found
After learning about the church incident Sunday, concerned relatives went to the cousins’ home to check on Derek Polite ‘and discovered him deceased inside,’ police said.
