A Texas church is mourning the violent death of its pastor after a man drove his car into the church building and struck the reverend.
Police in Forest Hill, a suburb of Fort Worth, say Derrick Birdow, 33, drove his car into Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church Monday and hit the Rev. Danny Kirk.
The driver then took an electric guitar and beat Kirk and John Whitaker, the church janitor who tried to intervene.
Whitaker described the incident in an interview with WFAA-TV.
“When the dust cleared, I seen pastor on top of the hood of the car,” Whitaker explained, remembering how his church’s leader was killed.
Police are not sure about a motive or whether Kirk knew the suspect.
“I hit the man upside the head and it didn’t phase him,” Whitaker continued. “Then I went and got a two-by-two and hit again. He didn’t say anything. He was crazy. He was super strong.”
“The only thing I remember last was him lying on that floor,” he said. “That is going to be with me for the rest of my life.”
During the altercation, the church secretary locked herself in the office and called police.
Forest Hill Police used a taser to stop the suspect. He was pronounced dead after being taken into custody.
Danny Kirk Jr., Kirk’s son, described his dad to reporters as the “best guy ever on this side of heaven. I promise you that much.”
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