A priest in Baltimore is recovering after police said he was attacked and robbed in broad daylight. This event happened just a few steps from his church in Little Italy.
Father Bernie Carman is Pastor of Saint Leo's Catholic Church, located on the corner of South Exeter and Stiles.
Father Bernie told police he was getting out of his car on South Exeter Road just before 4 p.m. Friday when a man approached and said, "Give me your wallet."
The man then used a gun to beat the priest to the ground causing him to collapse, then searched for valuables. All of this happens in broad daylight. The suspect then fled the scene in a new sedan with a woman waiting in the driver's seat.
When police arrived on the scene, they found Father Carman lying down with a wound to his head. Medical staff treated him at the scene before taking him to the hospital.
Several neighborhood residents and church members were stunned by the incident after hearing about what had happened.
“Anyone being assaulted anywhere is a terrible thing. I mean, this is my neighborhood, this is where I live. I have two small children. So I don't want to see that kind of crime in my neighborhood," said Bryan Chiapparelli.
Art Caliman, a longtime member of St. Leo's church, said:
It's tragic that this happens to anyone. But especially for Father Bernie. He is truly a great asset to the neighborhood and he has experienced a number of health and other difficulties. So it's really sad when these things happen to you.