NEW YORK -- A bishop was robbed at gunpoint in the course of a sermon Sunday in Brooklyn, and it was caught on video, CBS New York experiences.
Bishop Lamor Whitehead says 5 to 10 minutes into the sermon, he noticed the door behind the room kicked open and three to 4 males walked in with weapons. He believes he was focused, the station says. The service was being livestreamed.
"I stated, 'Alright, alright, alright,' just about stating that I am not going to do something as a result of I do know you are coming for me. You are coming straight to me. I do not need my parishioners damage. I've acquired ladies and kids there," stated Whitehead, of Leaders of Tomorrow Worldwide Ministries.
"As I acquired down, one went to my spouse and took all her jewellery and had the gun in entrance of my 8-month-old child's face. Took off my bishop's ring, my wedding ceremony band and took off my bishop's chain, after which I had chains beneath my gown and he began tapping my neck to see if the rest. So meaning they knew. They watched they usually knew that I've different jewellery," he defined.
The church's livestream reveals the gun being held on the pastor.
"They'd weapons on my deacons that was on the door," stated Whitehead.
What you do not see on digicam, Whitehead stated, are round 100 congregants who had been within the room. Males, ladies and kids dropped to the ground in silence.
"My church is traumatized. The ladies and kids are nonetheless crying. Infants are nonetheless crying," stated Whitehead.
Based on police, the lads took off in a white Mercedes. Whitehead stated cops have a license plate and witnesses noticed the lads change garments outdoors.
"These males, they should flip themselves in," Whitehead stated. "I forgive you and I am praying for you, and I hope that God delivers you from the mindset of who you might be at the moment."
Whitehead believes his household was focused due to the publicity he obtained when he helped flip within the suspect needed within the deadly subway taking pictures of 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez in Might.
"I turned him in, however the media referred to as me 'the bling, bling bishop.' They'd my Rolls-Royce caw throughout all over the place, and I really feel that that performed a component on this," stated Whitehead. "I believe all pastors ought to have the ability to get permits for pistols."
The NYPD is investigating and Whitehead stated Mayor Eric Adams and prime police brass have referred to as him pledging help to seek out the suspects.
In an announcement, a spokesperson for the mayor stated, "Nobody on this metropolis must be the sufferer of armed theft, not to mention our religion leaders and congregants worshiping in a Home of God. The NYPD is investigating this crime and can work tirelessly to carry the criminals concerned to justice."
Nobody was damage throughout the theft.