Tragedy at Richmond Road Baptist Church: Two Women Killed in Lexington Shooting. On July 13, 2025, a violent sequence of events unfolded in Lexington, Kentucky, resulting in the deaths of two women at Richmond Road Baptist Church and the injury of a Kentucky State Police trooper.
The suspect, identified by some sources as Guy House, was killed by police after a car chase that began near Blue Grass Airport and ended at the church.
The incident, which also left two male parishioners injured, has shocked the tight-knit community and drawn widespread condemnation from officials and residents alike.
Sequence of Events
The tragedy began around 11:36 a.m. local time (15:36 GMT) on Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport, when a state trooper pulled over a vehicle after a license plate reader alert. The suspect shot the trooper, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries, and fled the scene.
The shooting was unrelated to airport operations, though it temporarily impacted a portion of Terminal Drive, according to airport officials. The trooper was stabilized and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The suspect then carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Wood Drive, with no injuries reported during the carjacking. Using air support and the Lexington Police Department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center, officers tracked the stolen vehicle to Richmond Road Baptist Church, approximately 16 miles away in a rural area known as the Old Richmond Road Corridor.
There, the suspect opened fire on churchgoers, fatally shooting two women—Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 34 (corrected from an initial report of 32)—and injuring two men, one critically and one in stable condition.
Three Lexington police officers, with body-worn cameras activated, returned fire and killed the suspect at the scene. The officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team and the Lexington Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit, as per standard protocol.
Connection to the Church
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers noted that preliminary information suggests the suspect had a connection to individuals at the church, though specifics remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
An official briefed on the case told ABC News that the suspect had a history of mental health issues, drug problems, and anger issues, with prior domestic disputes involving an ex-girlfriend who had filed protection orders against him.
The Fayette County Coroner, Gary Ginn, described the church as a small, tight-knit congregation where most members are related or long standing friends, amplifying the tragedy’s impact on the community.
Community and Official Response
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed heartbreak, stating on X, “Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. 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.”
State Attorney General Russell Coleman called the incident an “attack on law enforcement and people of faith,” pledging support for the investigation. Senator Rand Paul and Representative Andy Barr also offered prayers for the victims and gratitude for first responders.
Local residents expressed shock, with one telling WLKY, “We’re out in the country. This kind of thing doesn’t really happen.” Nearby businesses, including Boonedogs Bar and Restaurant, went into lockdown during the incident. The community is grappling with grief, with Lexington’s mayor’s office and One Lexington preparing to offer support to those affected.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive for the shootings remains unclear, with Chief Weathers noting, “Sometimes things happen, you just don’t have a reason why.” The suspect’s identity has not been officially released pending family notification, though local reports cite Guy House, a man with a documented criminal history, as the alleged perpetrator.
The investigation involves multiple agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside Lexington police and Kentucky State Police.
This tragic event underscores ongoing concerns about gun violence, particularly in places of worship, drawing parallels to recent incidents like a thwarted shooting at a Michigan church in June 2025. As Lexington mourns, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and understanding the circumstances that led to this devastating day.
