Gunman Among Three Killed in Kentucky Shootings at Church, Airport

Authorities stated that two shootings on Sunday at Kentucky’s Blue Grass Airport and a historic church across town in Lexington left three people dead, including the shooter.

At 11:36 a.m., Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers reported that an unidentified gunman had hit a trooper of the Kentucky State Police on a terminal road at Blue Grass Airport. After receiving a license plate reader alert in the vicinity, the trooper stopped the shooter.

Weathers stated that the trooper was stabilized and undergoing treatment, adding, “The trooper was shot and the suspect fled.”

About 16 miles to the southeast, at Richmond Road Baptist Church, the gunman opened fire before being apprehended by law officials, according to Weathers.

According to him, the gunman was shot dead by officers, but not before at least four persons were hit at the church, two of them died.

“Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church,” Weathers stated. “Four individuals were shot on church property.”

The two women who were declared deceased at the scene were identified by Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn as Christina Combs, 32, and Beverly Gumm, 72. According to public documents and social media, Combs’ mother, Gumm, was married to the pastor of the church.

Weathers responded, “possibly,” when asked if any of the shooting victims were linked, but he did not elaborate.

One of the two men who were shot at the church is critically injured, while the other has been stabilized, according to Weathers.

Ginn claimed that the name of the shooter is known to the police and that he has not yet informed the gunman’s family of his passing.

In a post on X, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear discussed the string of shootings.

“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 stated. “Details are still emerging, and we will share more information as available.”

At 11:39 a.m., the Lexington Fire Department reported that it had responded to a gunshot at the airport and taken one individual to the hospital with “serious injuries.”

In a statement, Blue Grass Airport acknowledged that there had been a “incident” on airport property. The airport said that a terminal and a road were reopened after being momentarily shuttered as a precaution.

Weathers stressed that the airport had nothing to do with the shooting.

He said Lexington detectives were being assisted in their investigation by state troopers, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

He mentioned that the church is home to a close-knit group of parishioners but offered no explanation for the potential reason.

In a statement, State Attorney General Russell Coleman expressed gratitude to the first responders and said he was praying for the families. He stated that his office was prepared to help the agencies involved.

“This is another reminder of the grave danger we ask law enforcement to face every single day,” Coleman stated.