Get the USA TODAY app Flying spiders explained Start the day smarter ☀️ Honor all requests?
NEWS
Vehicles

Widow: Man who killed Texas pastor mentally ill

AP
People comfort one another outside of the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church in Forest Hill, Texas (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Pauly Moseley) MAGS OUT (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT
  • Shanellia Birdow described her spouse as "really sick" and "mentally ill"
  • Derrick Birdow rammed his car into a church, beat pastor to death with a guitar
  • Shanellia says her husband had sought treatment at a hospital days before the attack

FOREST HILL, Texas (AP) — The widow of a man who beat a pastor to death at his Fort Worth-area church says her spouse was mentally ill.

Shanellia Birdow says she does not know why Derrick Birdow attacked the minister Monday. Speaking at a prayer vigil for the Rev. Danny Kirk Sr. Tuesday night, she described her spouse as "really sick" and "mentally ill."

Investigators say Derrick Birdow rammed his car into the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church and beat the pastor to death with an electric guitar. Police used a stun gun on Birdow, who was later found dead in a patrol car.

Shanellia says her husband had sought treatment at a hospital a couple of days before the attack.

Kirk's funeral is set for Saturday at Great Commission Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Featured Weekly Ad