Texas pastor beaten to death inside church

FOREST HILL, TEXAS — A longtime Baptist pastor was fatally beaten inside his church Monday, and the suspect later died in a patrol car, according to police and MedStar.

The Rev. Danny Kirk was apparently inside Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church about 12:15 p.m. when a vehicle crashed into the side of the building.

Police Chief Dan Dennis said they believe the attack began in the parking lot of the church, and then moved inside, ending in the music room. When officers arrived, they found the man beating Kirk with an electric guitar, Dennis said.

An officer fired his Taser to end the assault, Dennis said. The suspect was placed in the back of a patrol car. When officers later returned to the car, the suspect wasn’t breathing, said MedStar spokesman Matt Zavadsky.

A janitor was attacked outside the church and was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A church secretary was inside the building but locked herself in a storage closet and was not injured, Dennis said.

Authorities have not released the identities of anyone involved. Church members identified Kirk as the pastor.

Paramedics were on the scene Monday afternoon treating multiple grief-stricken patients.

Dennis said police weren’t sure of the motive but that robbery hasn’t been ruled out. He said they don’t believe the suspect was a church member but that he might have had family in the congregation.