AT least three people, including the suspect, were killed and several others injured in a shooting incident on Sunday in the US state of Kentucky, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the fatalities on the social media platform X, stating that the shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington claimed two lives.
The incident began at 11.36 am local time (1536GMT) when a suspect shot a Kentucky State Police trooper on Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the trooper had pulled over a vehicle after receiving a licence plate alert in the Versailles Road area. The trooper, who was shot at the scene, is now in stable condition.
Authorities confirmed that the shooting did not take place inside the airport terminal and was unrelated to its operations.
The suspect then carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Drive and drove to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he opened fire.
Four people were shot at the church, including two women -- a 72-year-old and a 32-year-old -- who were pronounced dead at the scene. Two men were also injured; one remains in critical condition, while the other is stable.
The Fayette County Coroner identified the deceased as Beverly Gum, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, both members of the church.
Law enforcement fatally shot the suspect at the scene.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team and Public Integrity Unit are investigating.
Senator Rand Paul posted that he was “saddened” by the tragedy, stating that such violence had no place in Kentucky.
The suspect’s identity will be disclosed once next of kin have been notified. – July 14, 2025
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