Two women killed at Lexington, KY church, officer injured at Blue Grass Airport

Taylor Six, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jul 13, 2025

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Two people were killed and three others, including a Kentucky State trooper, were injured Sunday in a pair of shootings involving one suspect at Blue Grass Airport and a church in Lexington.

The trooper was shot at the airport, and four people were shot about 16 miles away at Richmond Road Baptist Church.

Police also shot and killed the suspect at the church.

The incident began around 11:30 a.m., when a trooper tried to pull over the suspect. The suspect shot the trooper on Terminal Drive, outside the airport, and fled, police said.

The trooper suffered serious injuries but was stable Sunday afternoon.

The suspect then went to Belleau Wood Drive, where he carjacked a vehicle and drove to Richmond Road Baptist Church, in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road.

He shot and killed two women and shot and injured two men at the church.

The women were identified by Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn as Beverly Gumm, 72, and Kristina Combs, 32.

Ginn said the church is small, and most of the members are related or have been friends for years.

One of the injured men is in critical condition, and one is stable, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said in a news conference Sunday afternoon.

The suspect has not been identified.

Three Lexington police officers fired their weapons at the suspect, according to Weathers. The officers have been placed on administrative assignment pending an investigation into the shooting.

“Kentucky, we are aware of a series of incidents in Lexington around one suspect, including a trooper-involved shooting and an additional shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church with multiple injuries,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “The trooper and others are being treated at a nearby hospital. 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.”

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said detectives with his office are ready to support local and state agencies.

“Today, violence invaded the Lord’s House,” Coleman said in a statement. “The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire commonwealth. “This is another reminder of the grave danger we ask law enforcement to face every single day. We go to houses of worship to gather in fellowship, unite in faith, and reach toward our Creator. In light of this tragedy, we turn to God with our prayers for the injured Trooper and the victims’ families.”

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(Staff photographer Ryan Hermens and staff writer Valarie Honeycutt Spears contributed to this story.)

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