Suspect's Connection To Church Victims Emerges As Police Investigate Kentucky Shooting

Police successful Kentucky are searching for a motive aft a gunman changeable and killed 2 women astatine a religion connected Sunday, besides injuring a authorities trooper.

The suspect, who constabulary haven't yet named, killed 2 women and injured 2 men astatine nan Richmond Road Baptist Church successful Lexington, Kentucky, according to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers.

Officials said nan fishy opened occurrence astatine a authorities trooper aft he was pulled complete adjacent nan Blue Grass Airport astir 11:30 a.m. The constabulary serviceman is expected to survive. The fishy was pulled complete aft nan authorities trooper's licence sheet scholar showed an alert.

"There were immoderate group en way to nan airport, and they sewage retired and assisted nan trooper," Weathers said. "I admit them for getting retired and doing what they did."

GUNMAN KILLS 2, WOUNDS 2 AT LEXINGTON CHURCH AFTER SHOOTING KENTUCKY STATE TROOPER

Law enforcement members respond to a shooting adjacent Richmond Road Baptist Church successful Lexington, Ky., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)

After nan first shooting, constabulary said nan fishy stole a car 10 miles distant from nan Blue Grass Airport earlier opening occurrence astatine nan church.

The religion is astir 16 miles from nan first shooting.

While constabulary person not established a motive for nan shooting, Weathers said nan fishy mightiness person known group astatine nan church.

"Preliminary accusation indicates that nan fishy whitethorn person had a relationship to nan individuals astatine nan church," Weathers said.

ARMED GUNMAN SHOT DEAD AFTER OPENING FIRE AT SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE

Law enforcement members respond to a shooting adjacent Richmond Road Baptist Church successful Lexington, Ky., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)

The 2 women killed were identified by officials arsenic Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 32.

Governor Andy Beshear addressed nan shooting connected X, asking for prayers.

Law enforcement members respond to a shooting connected Terminal Drive adjacent nan Blue Grass Airport successful Lexington, Ky., Sunday, July 13, 2025.  (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Please believe for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence, and let’s springiness acknowledgment for nan swift consequence by nan Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police," Beshear wrote. 

Reuters and nan Associated Press contributed to this report.