(LibertySociety.com) – In a harrowing event that unfolded in Glendale, Arizona, a 26-year-old Christian man named Hans Schmidt found himself fighting for his life after being shot in the head while sharing his faith on a busy intersection.
Schmidt, a military veteran and a father of two young children, including a two-month-old infant, was actively engaging the passersby about a church service scheduled for the same evening, per a Fox 10 report. The tragic incident took place on Wednesday around 6:00 p.m., when an unidentified individual shot him and promptly fled the scene.
Zulya, Schmidt’s wife, took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news and to plea for any information that might help the police find the perpetrator. She also expressed gratitude for prayers and her belief that God will have the final say. Her post was a testament to their love, ending with “I love you so much, babe.”
Victory Chapel, where Schmidt passionately served as the outreach director, shared an update about his critical condition. Upon his arrival at the ER, he was said to have experienced seizures and was immediately intubated. Despite some movement, the medical experts were uncertain about its voluntary nature and had to drain fluid from his brain. The church urged its followers to continue praying for Schmidt’s recovery.
Schmidt’s wife penned an emotional message on Friday morning, urging her “handsome cowboy” to keep fighting, emphasizing their desperate need for him.
A local businessman, Paul Sanchez, who witnessed the shooting, recounted seeing people drive by, hurling hateful comments and curses at Schmidt as he preached. Sanchez described the escalation of the situation as shocking, given that Schmidt never retaliated to the verbal abuse.
Likewise, Henry Branch, a resident of the nearby area, was taken aback by the incident, expressing confusion as to why someone would target a man preaching good news and attempting to support the community.
The Glendale Police Department is currently waiting for witnesses to provide more details about the shooting. Gina Winn, a representative from the department, described the incident as horrendous. She emphasized Schmidt’s recent marriage and small children and appealed to the public for any information about the incident.
While the details of the shooting remain unclear, with uncertainty if the shot was fired from a moving vehicle or by a pedestrian, the police continue their search for the suspect. They urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
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