Kentucky Church Shooting Leaves Two Women Dead/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A gunman shot a Kentucky state trooper, then killed two women during a rampage at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington. Police fatally shot the suspect at the scene. Authorities believe the gunman may have known the church victims.
Kentucky Church Shooting Quick Looks
- Gunman shoots trooper, flees to Lexington church
- Two women killed at Richmond Road Baptist Church
- Suspect shot and killed by police at scene
- Two other victims hospitalized, one critically injured
- Carjacking followed initial traffic stop shooting
- Police investigate possible suspect connection to church victims
- Trooper remains in stable condition after being shot
- Kentucky officials condemn violence, praise first responders
- Church congregation described as close-knit community
- Investigation into motives and details ongoing
Deep Look
Kentucky Church Shooting Claims Two Lives After Gunman Shoots State Trooper, Carjacks Vehicle
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Sunday morning that began with an ordinary traffic stop erupted into a horrifying spree of violence in Lexington, Kentucky, leaving two women dead and a state trooper recovering from a gunshot wound. The suspect responsible for the bloodshed was fatally shot by police after storming into Richmond Road Baptist Church and opening fire on congregants.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers detailed the harrowing series of events during a news conference, painting a picture of chaos and terror that spread from a highway stop to a house of worship.
According to Weathers, the incident began shortly after 11:30 a.m. when a Kentucky State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle near Lexington’s airport following a “license plate reader alert.” The routine stop turned violent when the driver shot the trooper. Despite being wounded, the trooper managed to call for assistance and was later transported to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
While law enforcement scrambled to respond to the ambush, the suspect fled the scene, carjacking another vehicle and setting off a frantic pursuit through the region.
Authorities tracked the carjacked vehicle to Richmond Road Baptist Church, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) from the location of the trooper’s shooting. There, the suspect entered the church and opened fire, causing panic among parishioners gathered for Sunday services.
Inside the church, the gunman fatally shot two women — one identified as 72 years old and the other 32 — according to Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn. Two additional victims were also wounded in the attack. One of them suffered critical injuries, while the other was reported in stable condition as of Sunday evening.
Police quickly descended on the church and confronted the suspect. Officers fatally shot him at the scene, preventing further carnage. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of family members.
Preliminary evidence suggests that the shooter may have had some personal connection to individuals at the church, though authorities have not elaborated on the nature of that relationship.
“Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church,” Chief Weathers said, emphasizing that the investigation is still in its early stages.
The violent intrusion into a place of worship has shaken Lexington’s community and drawn swift condemnation from state leaders.
“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,” Governor Andy Beshear wrote in a social media post Sunday night.
State Attorney General Russell Coleman also weighed in, lamenting the violent incursion into sacred space.
“Today, violence invaded the Lord’s House,” Coleman said. “The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire Commonwealth.”
Members of the Richmond Road Baptist Church congregation are grappling with grief and fear. The church, described by Coroner Ginn as a small, tight-knit community, was left stunned by the violence in their sanctuary. Counselors and faith leaders are mobilizing to support churchgoers in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Nearby residents and worshippers recounted moments of chaos and disbelief. Police quickly cordoned off the area surrounding the church, establishing a perimeter as SWAT teams and emergency responders swarmed the scene. Officers could be seen standing at the church entrance, maintaining vigilance as investigators worked inside.
“This is the kind of thing you never expect to see in your community,” said local resident Samantha Rowe, who lives a few blocks away. “A church is supposed to be a place of peace. It’s just devastating.”
The trooper who was shot during the initial traffic stop is being treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, Chief Weathers confirmed. Law enforcement officials hailed his courage in alerting fellow officers despite being gravely wounded.
As investigators sift through evidence, questions remain about the suspect’s motivations, his potential ties to the victims, and what might have triggered the series of violent events. Law enforcement agencies, including Kentucky State Police and the Lexington Police Department, continue to coordinate the investigation, with support from the state Attorney General’s office.
Sunday’s deadly rampage underscores ongoing concerns about violence in public spaces and places of worship across the United States. Faith communities, law enforcement, and civic leaders are once again confronting the sobering reality of how quickly ordinary gatherings can turn into scenes of tragedy.
For the community of Lexington — and particularly the members of Richmond Road Baptist Church — the road to healing will be long, shadowed by grief and lingering questions about how and why such violence could erupt in their midst.
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