News Summary
A tragic incident in Lexington involves the death of two women and injuries to several others, including a state trooper. The events unfolded after a traffic stop led to a carjacking and shooting outside a church. The suspect was shot and killed by police during the confrontation. Community officials are calling for healing and reflection on public safety.
Lexington Shootings Leave Two Dead and Multiple Injured; Suspect Shot by Police
Lexington, KY – A tragic series of events unfolded on Friday, resulting in the deaths of two women and injuries to several others, including a Kentucky State Police trooper. The incident began shortly after 11:30 a.m., when 47-year-old Guy House was involved in a traffic stop near the Blue Grass Airport, where he allegedly injured a state trooper. He subsequently fled the scene, leading to a carjacking and culminating in a violent shooting outside Richmond Road Baptist Church.
According to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office, the victims who lost their lives in the shooting are identified as 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 34-year-old Christina Combs. Along with these fatalities, three additional individuals were injured in the shootings. Two men suffered injuries, one in critical condition while the other is reported to be stable. The injured trooper was also among those affected during the chaotic events.
Sequence of Events
The series of violent incidents began when House’s vehicle was flagged by a license plate reader. Following this, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Terminal Drive, but House allegedly injured a KSP trooper and fled the scene. After carjacking another vehicle on Bellewood Drive, House made his way to the church, located approximately 16 miles from the site of the initial shooting.
Emergency calls regarding the shooting at the church were made to the Lexington Police Department shortly before 1 p.m. Responding officers encountered House, who was shot and killed during the confrontation. Following the incident, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while Kentucky State Police and Lexington’s Public Integrity Unit conduct investigations and internal reviews.
Community Response
In the wake of the shooting, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers acknowledged the bravery of passersby who intervened to assist victims immediately following the initial shooting. He emphasized that the violent events did not take place on airport property and assured the public that flights were unaffected, although a portion of Terminal Drive had to be closed.
Official Reactions
The violence has drawn heavy criticism from state officials. Governor Andy Beshear condemned the tragically violent events, stating that such behavior has no place in Kentucky. He called for prayers for the families of the victims and the wounded, emphasizing the need for community healing after such a devastating occurrence. Additionally, Attorney General Russell Coleman expressed his shock over the violence, particularly highlighting the impact on law enforcement and communities of faith in the Lexington area.
Background Context
This incident marks a significant moment of concern for the Lexington community, underscoring issues related to public safety and gun violence. It serves as a troubling reminder of the potential for violence and the far-reaching effects it can have on communities and individuals alike. The ongoing investigations aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, and further updates from law enforcement are anticipated as they piece together the events that transpired on that fateful day.
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Additional Resources
- Lex18: Summer Activity Injuries
- Wikipedia: Public Safety
- Kentucky.com: UK Basketball Women
- Google Search: Lexington shootings
- Men’s Journal: Lightning Strikes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Violence
- Lex18: Shootings Down Compared to Last Year
- Google News: Lexington police shooting
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
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.
