View: NYC bishop robbed at gunpoint through livestreamed sermon

Heather Hamilton

July 25, 11:04 AM July 25, 11:04 AM

A New York Metropolis bishop was in the middle of his sermon on Sunday when he was robbed at gunpoint.

It was about five to 10 minutes soon after Bishop Lamor Whitehead of Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries started preaching when a few or 4 men entered with guns.

CANADIAN PASTOR WHO HELD Company Despite COVID-19 LOCKDOWN WINS Legal VICTORY

"I reported, 'All appropriate, all correct, all appropriate,' quite much stating that I'm not likely to do nearly anything simply because I know you happen to be coming for me. You might be coming straight to me. I you should not want my parishioners damage. I have acquired women of all ages and children there," Whitehead explained to CBS2.

The church’s livestream video demonstrates one gunman approaching Whitehead.

"As I received down, one went to my wife and took all her jewelry and experienced the gun in front of my 8-thirty day period-outdated baby's facial area,” Whitehead extra. “Took off my bishop's ring, my wedding ceremony band, and took off my bishop's chain, and then I had chains beneath my robe and he begun tapping my neck to see if nearly anything else. So that implies they knew. They watched, and they realized that I have other jewellery.”

Whitehead claimed the church’s deacons had guns pointed at them as they stood by the doorway. About 100 congregants had been in attendance all through the services and fell to the flooring.

"My church is traumatized. The women and youngsters are nonetheless crying. Babies are continue to crying," Whitehead claimed.

The bishop explained he believes the robbers targeted him following he served change in the suspect required in the lethal subway capturing of Daniel Enriquez before this year.

"I turned him in, but the media termed me 'the bling, bling bishop.' They experienced my Rolls-Royce car or truck all about in all places, and I sense that that played a portion in this," Whitehead mentioned. "I assume all pastors ought to be equipped to get permits for pistols."

He known as for the robbers to switch them selves in, indicating he forgave them and was praying for them.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s business issued a assertion, saying: "No one in this metropolis must be the target of armed theft, enable by yourself our religion leaders and congregants worshiping in a Dwelling of God. The NYPD is investigating this criminal offense and will function tirelessly to deliver the criminals included to justice."

No 1 was reported to be wounded.