Faith Under Fire: Arizona Community Rallies for Justice Alongside Prayer for a Christmas Miracle
Hans Schmidt, 26, was shot on Nov. 15 while preaching on the street on the corner of 51st Avenue and Peoria in Glendale, Arizona, when an assailant shot him in the head.
According to a GoFundMe set up by family friend Brad Currell, the bullet “traveled through his brain and is still inside on the right side of his head.”
Currell said that bystanders and witnesses heard neither the gunshot nor which direction it came from. Schmidt is currently still hospitalized.
“It’s up and down. It’s up and down. He’s not out of the woods yet, folks,” said Pastor Gary Marsh of Victory Chapel First Phoenix. “He’s showing signs that he is on his way to recovery, but he’s not out of the woods yet. We just need to continue to lift him and lift [his wife] Zulya. That poor, dear thing. She’s just got to be beside herself.”
Zulya Schmidt, Schmidt’s wife, wrote a touching Thanksgiving message on her Facebook page last week.
“So much to be grateful for,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “I am thankful for the amazing husband I got blessed with and all the fun adventures we’ve experienced and will experience.
“You would take care of me and advocated for me when we had our babies,” she said. “You blessed me with two sweet and beautiful children. You are such a great and fun dad. I’ve always loved and admired your humility and willingness to help and serve. I’m grateful for all the love, support, and prayers we have received during this time.”
The Glendale Police Department said during a press conference that law enforcement is still looking for the shooter.
“This is a horrible, horrible offense. We have a 26-year-old who was a military medic. He is recently married. He has two small children, and he is currently in a critical state. It is imperative that the public reach out if you do have information so that we can bring justice to Hans and his family,” the public information officer for the police department said.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Zulya Schmidt
Video Courtesy: Fox 10 Phoenix via YouTube
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
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