Philadelphia pastor pleads guilty in shooting death of violent eldest son on Christmas

Pa. pastor pleads guilty in shooting death of son

MEDIA, Pa. — A pastor from suburban Philadelphia has admitted fatally shooting his eldest son after a violent confrontation at the family’s home on Christmas.

Forty-four-year-old Kirk Caldwell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Delaware County Court on Monday. Judge Frank Hazel sentenced Caldwell to two to four years in prison, minus time served.

The pastor testified that 21-year-old Jordan Caldwell had a history of violence that erupted in assaults on friends and family on Dec. 25.

Kirk Caldwell says he felt threatened and fired a single shot when his son refused to leave their Darby home.

Caldwell was a pastor at End Times Harvest Mission in Philadelphia. Many court witnesses praised him as a strong family man and leader.