A 26-year-old religious leader, father of two, and former military combat medic is currently fighting for his life after being shot in the head while preaching on a busy street corner in Glendale, Arizona.
The incident occurred on November 16, 2023, around 6:15 pm.
Hans Schmidt, known for his routine street preaching using a megaphone, was reportedly spreading the gospel to passersby when an unidentified assailant shot him. The shooting took place at a busy intersection in Glendale, police confirmed. Currently, Schmidt remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The circumstances leading to the shooting are still under investigation by the Glendale Police Department. As of now, it remains unclear whether Schmidt was specifically targeted or if the shooting was a random act. Authorities have not released any information about potential motives or suspects involved in the incident. A man who works in the neighborhood mentioned that passersby would often yell and curse at Schmidt as he was preaching
Friends and family of Schmidt expressed deep shock and confusion over the attack, unable to understand why someone would target him. Schmidt, who had recently moved to Arizona, served as the outreach director at Victory Chapel. He was actively involved in promoting an upcoming church service when the incident took place.
The Glendale Police Department is continuing its investigation and has appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the person responsible for this heinous act.
The case remains open, with authorities actively seeking leads to bring the perpetrator to justice.