Photo: Pennsylvania State Police
The man who pulled a gun on a pastor during a church service in Pennsylvania has now been charged with killing his cousin. After 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite was taken into custody, investigators found the body of 56-year-old Derek Polite in Bernard's home.
He had been shot to death.
"We believe that the shooting death of Derek Polite occurred around 10 a.m., prior to the incident later on that afternoon at the church," said Allegheny Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns.
Kearns said that Bernard then went to Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock and pulled a gun on Pastor Glenn Germany in the middle of his sermon. He pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed, allowing parishioners to tackle and subdue him until police arrived.
Bernard told investigators that "God told him to do it."
Officials said they have not determined why Bernard killed his older cousin and then tried to kill Rev. Germany.
Bernard is facing multiple charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and attempted homicide.