Lexington, Ky. — A shooting at a Baptist church in Lexington on Sunday left two women dead and a state trooper critically injured. The suspect, identified as Guy House, was fatally shot by police following the rampage at Richmond Road Baptist Church.
According to family members, House arrived at the church after morning services seeking his estranged partner, but when informed she was absent, he allegedly uttered a chilling threat. Witnesses reported that he initially shot Beverly Gumm, 72, before turning the weapon on Christina Combs, 34, who was also his partner’s sister. Two other men sustained critical injuries in the incident, but they have not been publicly identified.
The brutality of the attack unfolded soon after House shot a state trooper during a traffic stop near the Lexington airport. Officers began pursuing House after receiving alerts about his vehicle’s license plate, as he had outstanding arrest warrants. Police stated that during the stop, House shot the trooper before fleeing the scene and stealing a vehicle.
Larissa McLaughlin, who witnessed the traffic stop, said it started off appearing routine until sounds of gunfire pierced the air. “As we drove by, I could hear ‘pop, pop,’ and I knew something was wrong,” she recalled. Fortunately, several Good Samaritans rushed to help the officer immediately after he was shot, which law enforcement officials recognize as critical in preventing further injury.
Following the church shooting, police were able to track the stolen vehicle about 16 miles away to the church’s parking lot, where authorities confronted House. He was shot by officers, ending the violent episode.
Authorities have indicated that House was due in court for a domestic violence hearing the day after the shooting, though the case did not pertain to the family members involved. Rachael Barnes, House’s partner, confirmed that both Gumm and Combs were related to her, emphasizing the tragic impact on their family.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his condolences, urging the community to pray for those affected by the violence and applauding the quick response of local law enforcement. The state’s Attorney General Russell Coleman highlighted the exceptional nature of the incident, stating, “Violence invaded the Lord’s House today.”
As of Monday, the condition of the injured trooper was reported to be stable, and police continue to investigate the motives behind the attacks, which have left the local community in shock. The investigation is ongoing, with officials exploring the timeline of events leading up to the shootings.