Man tries to shoot pastor in Pa. church but gets tackled by congregant after gun fails to fire

A 26-year-old man's attempt to shoot a pastor at a Pennsylvania church was halted when a congregant tackled him to the ground after his gun wouldn't fire, police said.

The incident occurred at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock on Sunday while the service was being livestreamed online.

Police said the gunman, Bernard J. Polite of Braddock, entered the church shortly after 1 p.m. and proceed to the front of the church during Rev. Glenn Germany's sermon.

After Polite pointed the gun at Germany, a male member of the church tackled Polite and Germany helped him get the gun out of Polite's hand.

Germany and the congregant held Polite down until state police arrived on the scene and arrested him.

The gunman reportedly said that "God told me to do it."