A New York pastor was robbed at gunpoint as he delivered a sermon during a live-streamed church service on Sunday (July 24), per the New York Post.
Armed intruders entered Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday where they robbed Bishop Lamor Whitehead, his wife, and possibly churchgoers of $400,000 worth of jewelry, police said.
The robbery occurred at around 11:14 a.m. in the middle of Whitehead's Sunday sermon to the congregation and those watching the live stream at home.
“How many of you have lost your faith because you saw somebody else die?” Whitehead asked his congregation right before spotting three masked gunmen.
“All right, all right,” the pastor said as he bent down to the ground on his hands and knees.
Whitehead, who has been accused of being "flashy," was sporting a maroon suit, long gold chain, and a large ring at the time of the incident.
According to the police, the robbers fled with jewelry amounting to $400k after the crime.
Whitehead said the incident has left his congregation "traumatized" in a video posted to his Instagram.
"The women and children that was in my church, my daughter, she's traumatized right now. She's not even talking," he said.
The bishop also addressed the comments and headlines that have depicted him as "flashy" for donning gold jewelry during the livestream.
"It's not about me being flashy. It's about me purchasing what I want to purchase," Whitehead said. "If I worked hard for it, I can purchase what I want to purchase."
Police said no physical injuries were reported in connection with the robbery though an investigation of the incident is still ongoing.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.