FOREST HILL (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.

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