Police in Kentucky are investigating the motive behind a deadly shooting at a Baptist church in Lexington, where a suspect killed two women and injured a state trooper. The suspect, who remains unidentified, is believed to have had connections to individuals at the church, according to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers.
The shooting occurred after the suspect fired at a state trooper following a traffic stop near the Blue Grass Airport. Officials said the suspect opened fire at the trooper after being pulled over near the airport around 11:30 a.m. The police officer is expected to survive. The suspect was pulled over after the state trooper’s license plate reader showed an alert.
After the first shooting, police said the suspect stole a car 10 miles away from the Blue Grass Airport before proceeding to the church. The church is nearly 16 miles from the first shooting site. While police have not established a motive for the shooting, Weathers said the suspect might have known people at the church. Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church.
The two women killed were identified by officials as Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 32. The suspects’ connection to the church has prompted further investigation into possible motives. Governor Andy Beshear addressed the shooting on X, asking for prayers. ‘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,’ Beshear wrote.