GLENDALE, AZ – In a shocking incident on Monday evening, a man was gravely injured after being shot while he was preaching outside a church in Glendale. The event unfolded at about 6:00 p.m. on November 15 at the intersection of 51st Avenue and Peoria. The 26-year-old victim, identified as Hans Schmidt, was allegedly standing at the corner of the intersection, inviting passersby to attend a nearby church service.
Schmidt, a father of two who’s also a married military veteran, is presently hospitalized and reported to be in critical condition following the shooting. Police reportedly prompted businesses in the vicinity to evacuate after the incident.
Jesse James Comics store owner, Jesse James, was in the midst of a live stream when police officials arrived at his door. He calmly informed his viewers that he had to momentarily step away due to an incident in the area.
Describing the moments after he exited, James noted, “When I came out, they had changed the whole traffic, so the whole traffic was only down to one lane going through the complex.”
James discovered the specifics of the incident the following day. Reflecting on the area where Schmidt preached and the shooting incident, James mused, “It’s something where they preach so much on this corner, and it’s such a congested area. I always thought they might get hit by a car. I didn’t know they would be shot.”