USA – A Kentucky church shooting on Sunday left 3 people dead, including the shooter, while several others were left with injuries according to local authorities.
“I’m heartbroken to share the shooting in Lexington (city) at Richmond Road Baptist Church has taken the lives of two people,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on X.
The incident unfolded at 11.36 a.m. local time (1536GMT) when the suspect shot a Kentucky State Police trooper on Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the trooper had pulled over a vehicle on Terminal Drive after receiving a license plate reader alert in the area of Versailles Road.
The suspect shot the trooper, who is now in stable condition and receiving medical treatment, and then fled the scene.
Weathers confirmed that the shooting did not occur inside the airport terminal and was unrelated to Blue Grass Airport’s operations.
The suspect then reportedly carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Drive before driving to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he opened fire on church grounds.
No injuries were reported during the carjacking, authorities said.
Four people were shot at the church, including two women – a 72-year-old and a 32-year-old – who were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two victims – two men – were transported to the hospital, with one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Beverly Gum, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, both members of the church.
The suspect was shot and killed at the scene by law enforcement.
“The suspect shot a trooper and then fled the scene, ending up at the Richmond Road Baptist Church,” Kentucky State Police said on X.
“There are multiple victims at the church, and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) is on scene,” police confirmed.
Kentucky State Police and the Lexington Police Department responded swiftly to secure the area, and an investigation is ongoing.
Weathers noted that preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to individuals at the church.
Three Lexington police officers discharged their service weapons and had their body-worn cameras activated in accordance with department policy.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team and the department’s Public Integrity Unit are conducting the investigation, while the officers involved have been placed on administrative assignment.
Weathers expressed gratitude to members of the Lexington Police Department and community members who assisted the wounded trooper.
He also acknowledged support from the state police, Fayette County agencies, federal partners including the ATF and FBI and emergency management personnel.
Sen. Rand Paul said he was “saddened” by the shootings.
“Violence like this has no place in Kentucky,” he said on X.
The coroner emphasized that the church community was very close-knit, with many attendees related or long-time friends.
Authorities said the suspect’s identity would be released once next of kin are notified.
