Those closest to a man fatally shot by Birmingham police earlier this week will say goodbye to him in a private service on Friday.

Daniel Allen Johnson, 43, was killed Monday in Birmingham’s Forest Park community where he lived with Sri Koduri, his partner of 24 years.

“He was kind, compassionate, spiritual, an animal and plant lover’’ Koduri said.

The shooting happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Senior State Trooper Vu Quang said police responding to a report of a disorderly person encountered Johnson, who “presented a knife.”

A South Precinct officer was dispatched shortly to an apartment building in the parking lot of the neighborhood just off Clairmont Avenue.

Birmingham police Chief Scott Thurmond said when the officer arrived on the scene, an altercation ensued and the officer fired an undisclosed number of shots, critically wounding Johnson.

Johnson was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:18 p.m.

No officers were injured in the incident.

Witness Anna Evans told WBRC Fox 6 that she saw Johnson right before the shooting and said something was “off” with him that night.

She said someone – she presumes police – were shining a spotlight on Johnson.

“He was leaning up against the tree and he was saying, ‘Get the light off of me. Please get the light off of me,’’’ she told the television station. “They were bickering back and forth and they were just saying the same things over and over. It was just heated and intense and I was like what the hell is happening over there.

She then heard two shots fired.

The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

Johnson worked off and on at an area Starbucks for the past four years and was a freelance artist.

“He did it only when he felt inspired,’’ Koduri said of his partner’s art.

The couple had a 1-year-old Goldendoodle named Rio.

“He was friendly to neighbors but kept mostly to himself and loved privacy,’’ Koduri said. “He listened to classical music and world music. Read a lot of books on spirituality and philosophy.”

Johnson was always willing to help others, he said, making meals for the homeless and building routes for ants so people wouldn’t step on them. He even named alley cats in the neighborhood.

“He struggled with mental health issues for a long time,’’ Koduri said. “He has sought help for his issues and takes meds to help him.”

Johnson loved nature and walks and wanted to respect his personal space.

“Some people perceived this to be weird and eccentric, but he was more than likely listening to a podcast while he was out and about,’’ Kodur said. “He was honest and spoke his mind.”