{"id":19661,"date":"2023-11-29T11:03:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T16:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=19661"},"modified":"2024-02-01T11:00:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T16:00:56","slug":"arizona-church-leader-shot-in-head-while-preaching-on-street-in-desperate-need-of-a-miracle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2023\/11\/arizona-church-leader-shot-in-head-while-preaching-on-street-in-desperate-need-of-a-miracle","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Church Leader Shot in Head While Preaching on Street: ‘In Desperate Need of a Miracle’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adobe Stock \/ Inset: GOFUNDME<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Arizona church leader is reportedly showing signs of recovery after being shot in the head while street preaching. During a recent worship service<\/a>, Pastor Gary Marsh of Victory Chapel First Phoenix gave a brief update on the situation surrounding Hans Schmidt, a father of two, who was shot while street preaching on the corner of 51st Avenue and Peoria in Glendale, Arizona. Schmidt was hospitalized in critical condition.<\/p>\n

Marsh said, “It’s up and down. It’s up and down. He’s not out of the woods yet, folks. He’s showing signs that he is on his way to recovery, but he’s not out of the woods yet. We just need to continue to lift him up and lift up [his wife] Zulya. That poor, dear thing. She’s just got to be beside herself.”\u00a0Blaze Media<\/a> reported that the incident unfolded in Glendale, with authorities investigating the shooting after initially receiving a report someone had been assaulted. According to a GoFundMe<\/a>\u00a0set up by family friend Brad Currell, the bullet fired at Schmidt \u201ctraveled through his brain and is still inside on the right side of his head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currell said that bystanders and witnesses heard neither the gunshot nor which direction it came from. Video footage from the incident shows that when Schmidt was shot, he \u201cinitially fell but got back up and was walking and talking but bleeding.\u201d No one realized what had happened until he started having seizures and vomiting, resulting in him going to the hospital.<\/p>\n

KNXV-TV reported<\/a> that the suspect hadn\u2019t been apprehended yet, and it\u2019s unclear whether the assailant shot Schmidt from a vehicle or was on foot. Family, friends, and locals are shocked and asking for prayer. Henry Branch, a Glendale resident, told local media, \u201cWho knows why someone would want to take it out on a preacher like that because he\u2019s speaking the gospel and good news to everybody. He\u2019s out to help the community.\u201d<\/p>\n