An armed man fleeing state troopers opened fire on Sunday church-goers in Kentucky, killing two women, ages 32 and 72, and wounding several others including parishioners and a trooper.
Authorities have identified the shooter, who was shot dead by law enforcement. No name has been made public, but his family has been notified.
Two other men were also shot and injured at the Richmond Road Baptist Church. Both have been transported to a local hospital. One is in critical condition, the other is stable.
At approximately 11:35 a.m., the suspect fled to the church after shooting a state trooper on Terminal Road near Blue Grass Airport. The trooper was shot after pulling over a vehicle based on an alert on a license plate reader.
The trooper is in stable condition, Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department told reporters.
The suspect fled and carjacked another vehicle, which was tracked to the church on Old Richmond Road. The shooter opened fire on people on church property.
Gary Ginn, coroner of Fayette County, said the church has a small and tight-knit congregation.
“The majority of the individuals that attend the church there are related biologically, some way or another,” he said. “If not, they’ve been friends for many, many years.”
Kentucky State Police and Lexington Police were involved in the incident, with the State Police confirming in a post on X soon after the incident that the suspect was deceased and that there were multiple victims at the church receiving emergency medical treatment.
State Police first confirmed the shooting happened at 11:35 a.m., but initially did not specify where the incident began.
2. KSP & LPD were able to secure the suspect. At this time, we can confirm that the trooper is receiving medical attention. There are multiple victims at the church, and EMS is on scene . The suspect is deceased. KSP will provide more information as it becomes available.
— KY State Police (@kystatepolice) July 13, 2025
The Lexington Herald-Leader first reported that a Kentucky State Police Trooper was shot on Sunday morning near Blue Grass Airport in Fayette County. The shooting is “unrelated” to the airport, police said.
The suspect then fled to Richmond Road Baptist Church, about 17 miles (27 km) away, where multiple people were shot and wounded, the Herald-Leader added in early reporting.
Later, Lexington Police confirmed that the shooting at the church was connected to the earlier incident near the airport, writing on X: “This shooting is connected to the earlier shooting that occurred on Terminal Drive, where a Kentucky State Trooper was shot.”
The statement continued: “While that shooting occurred on Terminal Drive, it was unrelated to the Blue Grass Airport. The Trooper is in stable condition receiving medical treatment.”
Kentucky, we are aware of a series of incidents in Lexington around one suspect, including a trooper-involved shooting and an additional shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church with multiple injuries. The trooper and others are being treated at a nearby hospital. 1/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 13, 2025
Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement: “Kentucky, we are aware of a series of incidents in Lexington around one suspect, including a trooper-involved shooting and an additional shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church with multiple injuries. The trooper and others are being treated at a nearby hospital.”
He added: “Please pray for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence, and let’s give thanks for the swift response by the Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police. Details are still emerging, and we will share more information as available.”
The Blue Grass Airport posted on X at 1 p.m. that a law enforcement investigation was impacting a portion of the airport road, but that all flights and operations were now proceeding normally.
“Our team is on site guiding passengers to open parking. All flights and operations are now continuing as usual,” airport officials said.
In late June, there was panic at a church in Wayne, Michigan, after a gunman attempted a mass shooting, firing several shots into the building on a Sunday morning.
The attack was thwarted by a quick-thinking deacon who ran the shooter down with his truck and an armed security guard who shot the gunman.
