Ariz. Church Leader Shot in Head While Preaching on Street Corner: 'In Desperate Need of a Miracle'

Hans Schmidt, 26, is in critical condition

An Arizona man is in critical condition after he was shot while preaching on the street Wednesday.

Hans Schmidt, 26, was shot in the head while promoting a church service in Glendale, the city’s police department announced in a press release.

Schmidt’s injuries were initially thought to be the result of an assault, but medical staff then realized it was a gunshot wound, police say.

Schmidt is a former combat medic who is married with two children, according to the press release. Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the suspects involved in the shooting.

Victory Chapel, Schmidt’s church, says on its website that he is “in desperate need of a miracle.” Schmidt serves as the church’s outreach director.

“The family remains encouraged by what they are seeing and are rejoicing,” the church wrote on its website. “Thank you to all those around the world who have reached out to share your prayers, love and support.”

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The church is also collecting donations to help cover Schmidt’s medical expenses. They can be made online through the church’s website. A GoFundMe has also been established.

The organizer of the GoFundMe wrote that no one heard the gunshot or saw where it came from.

Anyone who might have information about the shooting can contact the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.

Paul Sanchez, who works nearby where the shooting occurred, told AZ Family that when Schmidt would preach, there was “a lot of everything, really, hateful comments, people yelling at him, ‘get off the street,’ all sorts of mean things,” but he says he never thought it would escalate.

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