On July 13, 2025, Lexington, Kentucky, was rocked by a series of violent shootings that left two women dead, a Kentucky State Trooper and two others injured, and the suspect killed by police. The tragic events unfolded across two locations, beginning near Blue Grass Airport and culminating at the Richmond Road Baptist Church, a small, tight-knit congregation in a rural part of the city. The incidents have left the community in shock and mourning, with officials and residents grappling with the senseless violence.

Incident Begins at Blue Grass Airport

The sequence of events began around 11:36 a.m. ET when a Kentucky State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on Terminal Drive, near Blue Grass Airport, after receiving a license plate reader alert. According to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, the suspect opened fire on the trooper during the traffic stop, wounding them. The trooper, who was reported to be in stable condition and receiving medical treatment, was assisted by “good Samaritans” who provided life-saving measures at the scene. The suspect fled, and police clarified that the shooting was unrelated to airport operations, though it temporarily impacted a portion of Terminal Drive.

Carjacking and Pursuit to Richmond Road Baptist Church

After shooting the trooper, the suspect carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Wood Drive, approximately 15 miles from the airport. No injuries were reported during the carjacking. Using the department’s Air Support Unit and Real-Time Intelligence Center, Lexington police tracked the stolen vehicle to the Richmond Road Baptist Church, located in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road, a rural area known as the Old Richmond Road Corridor.

At the church, the suspect opened fire on parishioners, shooting four people. Two women, identified as 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 34-year-old Christina Combs, were killed. Two men were also injured, one in critical condition and the other stable, and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have had a connection to individuals at the church, though authorities have not elaborated on the nature of this connection.

Police Response and Suspect’s Death

Three Lexington police officers, assisted by Kentucky State Police, confronted the suspect at the church. The officers, whose body-worn cameras were activated during the incident, opened fire, fatally wounding the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect’s identity has not been released, pending notification of their family. The officers involved have been placed on administrative assignment while the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team and the Lexington Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit investigate the officer-involved shooting.

Community Impact and Official Responses

Richmond Road Baptist Church, described as an “independent, landmark, sovereign grace, missionary New Testament Baptist Church,” is a small, close-knit congregation where many members are biologically related or long-time friends, according to Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn. The church was livestreaming a sermon at the time of the shooting, adding to the tragedy’s impact on the community. Efforts to reach church representatives were unsuccessful, but the congregation’s tight-knit nature underscores the profound loss felt by its members.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his grief, stating on X, “I’m heartbroken to share the shooting in Lexington at Richmond Road Baptist Church has taken the lives of two people. Please pray for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence, and let’s give thanks for the swift response by the Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police.” He urged Kentuckians to “stand strong together and support our Lexington neighbors during this difficult time.”

State Attorney General Russell Coleman condemned the violence, noting, “Today, violence invaded the Lord’s House. The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire Commonwealth.” U.S. Senator Rand Paul and Representative Andy Barr also offered prayers for the victims and gratitude for the first responders’ swift actions.

Unrelated Shooting Incident

Earlier that day, at approximately 3:49 a.m., Lexington police responded to a separate shooting in the 900 block of Winchester Road, where three people were injured. Authorities have not confirmed a connection between this incident and the later shootings at the airport and church, and details remain limited.

Ongoing Investigation

The Lexington Police Department, Kentucky State Police, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are collaborating on the investigation. No motive has been disclosed, and Chief Weathers acknowledged the difficulty of such events, stating, “Sometimes things happen, you just don’t have a reason why.” The community awaits further details as authorities continue their work.

The shootings have left Lexington reeling, with residents and officials calling for unity and healing in the face of this tragedy. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and the close-knit congregation of Richmond Road Baptist Church.

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