Church Pastor Killed in Texas: Rev. Danny Kirk Beat to Death with Electric Guitar, Suspect Shot with Taser and Pronounced Dead

North Texas founding pastor of Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Danny Kirk was killed on Monday (Oct. 29) after an attacker manically slammed his vehicle into the Forest Hills church wall and then beat Kirk to death with an electric guitar. After police arrived, an officer subdued the unidentified suspect with a Taser gun - he was then detained and transferred to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. It is still unknown whether the suspect attended Kirk's church or even personally knew the pastor, or why he would commit such a horrible crime.

Forest Hill Police Chief Dan Dennis reports the suspect apparently intentionally rammed his car into the church wall Monday afternoon. He then proceeded to chase Kirk around the church parking lot and eventually into the building, attacking him with an electric guitar apparently found in the church. Kirk's secretary hid from the assailant and promptly called 911. When law enforcement arrived, they witnessed the suspect bludgeoning Kirk with the guitar. After the man was shot with a Taser, police handcuffed him and transported him to the back of a waiting patrol car. He was found unresponsive moments later and deemed dead at a local hospital.

Kirk had died before the suspect was even restrained. The Reverend fought back against his assailant, but it is unknown whether or not this contributed to the unidentified man's death. According to Dennis, an autopsy was performed on the suspect on Monday to determine the cause of death. The condition of an injured church maintenance worker who tried to help Kirk is still unknown.

Forest Hill Mayor James Gosey claims that Kirk began the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church years ago in a local strip mall before building the red-brick church in Forest Hills. The pastor was very popular and well-liked among members of the community - following his tragic passing, many people arrived at the church to grieve his passing. According to church members Kirk was a friendly, dedicated pastor who knew the names of over 800 individuals who regularly attended his services.

"He really was concerned about our souls," church member Montoya McNeil tearfully recalls. "You looked forward to being here. ... I'm not asking God why, because I know where he (Kirk) is, but we won't get those big bear hugs and those great sermons anymore."

Thoughts and condolences go out to Rev. Kirk's family, friends, and church community affected by such a devastating loss.