A 26-year-old religious leader and father of two, who previously served as a military combat medic, was critically injured after being shot in the head during a sermon on a Glendale, Arizona, street corner.
The incident occurred on November 16, 2023, at approximately 6:15 pm. Hans Schmidt, known for his Gospel street preaching using a megaphone, was addressing passersby when he was shot by an unknown assailant at a crowded intersection, as confirmed by the Glendale Police. As of the latest update on November 20, Schmidt is in critical condition fighting for his life.
The Glendale Police Department is investigating the shooting, with the motive still unclear.
Paul Sanchez, who works in the vicinity, mentioned that while Schmidt was out preaching, certain individuals drove past, shouting and using offensive language toward him. “There was a variety of negativity—spiteful remarks, people shouting at him to leave the street, and all sorts of unkind things,” he stated. Sanchez never anticipated that the situation would worsen, particularly because, as he mentioned, Schmidt never engaged with anyone or reacted to the unkind remarks.
Friends and family of Schmidt, a recent Arizona resident and outreach director at Victory Chapel, are in shock and perplexed by the attack. The police are seeking public assistance to find and arrest the suspect.
