FOREST HILL -- As a weeping woman was ushered to a seat at a vigil Tuesday evening, a reporter turned to 9-year-old Jalen Barnes of Arlington and asked, "Is that the pastor's wife?"
"Yes, sir," Jalen replied and then pointed skyward. "But Pastor Kirk is up there."The Rev. Danny Kirk Sr. was fatally beaten Monday inside the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church by a man identified as Derrick Birdow, who died later after he was subdued by police.A few hundred mourners gathered around the front steps of the church on Forest Hill Drive.Ministers from other churches exhorted Kirk's wife, Lori, and those assembled to see God's goodness, even in such tragedy.And the slain man's 17-year-old son, Danny Kirk Jr., drove the point home."You're crying like you don't know where he is going, or where he is," he shouted. "But I serve a God who can raise the dead and heal the sick. That's why I have an assurance and a faith. I still have joy."Other congregations have offered help to grieving parishioners."Prayer would be the biggest and greatest thing that would carry us through," Associate Minister Claudie Loftin said.Church janitor John Whitaker, who was injured trying to stop Birdow from attacking Kirk, was briefly hospitalized, but was recovering at home Tuesday."Brother Whitaker, he's hurt," Loftin said. "He's definitely resting."Also at the vigil was Shanellia Birdow. She said she had attended the church and considered Kirk her pastor."I came here today because I'm sorry this happened," she said."I'm hurting not only because I lost my pastor, but also because I lost my husband."He was sick, really sick ... mentally ill."Kirk's son said that his father was smiling down on the gathering. "Daddy, I got Mama," the teenager said. "You don't have to worry no more. You did what you had to do on this side. But you didn't name me Danny Kirk Jr. for no reason. I'm not going to mess up your name."I didn't know that I'd be a man at 17, but it looks like I'm going to be one, and I'm going to be a good one."Staff writer Bill Hanna contributed to this report.Bill Miller, 817-390-7684Twitter: @bill_millerSTHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
