What started as a routine traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, on July 13, 2025, quickly spiraled into a nightmare that claimed two lives and left several others wounded. A state trooper was shot during the stop after a license plate reader flagged the suspect’s vehicle. The gunman then fled, carjacked another vehicle, and raced 15 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he unleashed a brutal attack on the congregation gathered there.
At the church, the suspect fatally shot two beloved women—34-year-old Christina Combs and 72-year-old Beverly Gumm—and wounded two men, one critically. The rampage ended when responding officers fatally shot the assailant. Lexington Police revealed the suspect may have had ties to someone at the church, though the motive remains unknown.
The tragedy has devastated the close-knit church community. Grieving family and friends turned to social media to honor the victims and share memories. Rachael Barnes, mourning both her mother Beverly and sister Christina, revealed that Beverly had authored a cherished family memoir, now a treasured legacy. Christina, a devoted mother of five and hospital worker training to become a nurse, was preparing for graduation later this year.
Fundraisers are underway to support the families left behind. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Congressman Andy Barr, and Senator Rand Paul have publicly expressed condolences and lauded first responders for their swift action.
As investigations continue, the community grapples with shock, sorrow, and the urgent need for healing. This devastating event has ignited vital conversations on safety and violence prevention, touching hearts across Kentucky and beyond.