News Summary
A series of violent shooting incidents throughout Kentucky has left communities reeling. The Lexington Police are investigating multiple shootings, including one that injured a man on Eastern Avenue and another involving a tragic church shooting that claimed two lives. In addition, a plea deal has been reached for a fatal shooting in August. The surge in these violent acts has sparked concerns about public safety across the state.
Lexington—A series of violent shooting incidents across Kentucky have left victims and communities in shock, with multiple casualties reported and ongoing investigations into the motives behind these attacks.
The Lexington Police Department responded to a shooting on Eastern Avenue at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was promptly taken to an area hospital and is currently reported to be in stable condition. As of now, details regarding the suspect involved in this shooting remain unavailable.
In a separate incident, a plea deal has been reached in a case involving a fatal shooting that occurred in Lexington in August 2024. Luis Ramos was charged with murder for the death of 23-year-old Daquan Collins. Ramos has pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter, and a recommended sentence of 10 years has been proposed, with the sentencing scheduled for August 21.
On July 13, the Richmond Road Baptist Church experienced a tragic shooting where two individuals were killed and two others were injured. The church held its first service post-tragedy on Sunday, marking a somber return to worship for the congregation. The victims, identified as 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 34-year-old Christina Combs, were remembered as beloved members of the community. Rachael Barnes, who lost both her mother and sister in the shooting, expressed feelings of shock and numbness resulting from the incident. Beverly Gumm’s husband, Jerry Gumm, who is also the church’s pastor, sustained serious injuries during the attack. Christina Combs’s husband, Randy Combs, remains hospitalized as a result of injuries suffered during the shooting.
The gunman, identified as Guy House, shot Kentucky State Police Trooper Jude Remilien at the Lexington Airport before proceeding to the church, where the shooting took place. Following the attacks, House was shot and killed by police. The names of the three officers involved in the incident have been released; they are currently on leave pending an investigation. Trooper Remilien is expected to recover from his injuries, but details about his condition have not been specified.
Another alarming incident occurred recently where a 36-year-old man named Gildardo Martinez was charged with murder and attempted rape following a shooting that claimed the life of a Morehead teenager. The shooting took place around 2:30 a.m. in the West Sun Street area, where police discovered two teenagers suffering from gunshot wounds. The deceased has been identified as 15-year-old Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez, who was preparing to enter his sophomore year at Rowan County Senior High School. The second victim, also a teenager, was transported initially to University of Kentucky-St. Claire Regional Medical Center before being transferred to UK Hospital. Their current condition remains undisclosed.
Gildardo Martinez was captured after a brief manhunt and is currently being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the Morehead shooting and are seeking additional information from the public to assist in the case.
This cluster of violent incidents has heightened concerns across Kentucky regarding public safety and crime, prompting officials and community leaders to discuss strategies to address the rising gun violence that has affected many neighborhoods. The local community continues to rally in support of the victims and their families, striving to heal from these traumatic events.
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Additional Resources
- WKYT: Plea Deal in Lexington Shooting
- LEX18: Lexington Church Holds Service After Shooting
- Fox 56: Morehead Teen Killed in Shooting
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence in the United States
- Kentucky.com: Crime Reports
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
