GLENDALE, Ariz. — A religious leader from the Victory Chapel First Phoenix in Glendale, Arizona, was shot while preaching the gospel on Wednesday night. Hans Schmidt, a father and outreach director, was standing on a street corner with a megaphone, spreading the message of scripture. The shooter remains unidentified, and it is still uncertain whether the attack was carried out on foot or from a vehicle.
Schmidt’s condition remains critical, as he continues to receive medical treatment for the gunshot wound. His wife, Zulya Schmidt, expressed her belief in God’s power to heal and shared her love for him on social media. Witnesses in the area attested to the preacher’s dedication to community outreach and his positive impact on people’s lives.
The incident has left the community baffled as to why someone would target a preacher sharing messages of goodwill. Although occasional hostility was witnessed towards Schmidt during his sermons, he never responded in kind. This act of violence highlights the presence of underlying darkness in society that can manifest in harmful ways.
Law enforcement is actively investigating the incident, aiming to identify and apprehend the perpetrator responsible. The community, along with the religious congregation, hopes for Schmidt’s recovery and prays for an end to such senseless acts of violence.