Two women killed in US’ Kentucky church shooting after gunman opens fire after injuring officer

Law enforcement members respond to a shooting near Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. (AP)

The suspect was pulled by a state trooper near Blue Grass Airport at about 11:30 am on Sunday Fayette County. The shooting took place on a road that rings the airport but was not connected to its operations, Reuters reported. The suspect carjacked a vehicle after a traffic stop by the trooper near Lexington’s airport and fled to church where he opened fire.

On July 13, 2025, Lexington Police Officers arrived at the Richmond Road Baptist Church in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road for a shooting with multiple victims. The suspect is deceased.

— Lexington Police (@lexkypolice) July 13, 2025

The trooper who was also shot at by the suspect is being treated at a nearby hospital and is in a stable condition. Out of the two other people injured in the shooting, one sustained critical injuries and the other victim remains in a stable condition.

I’m heartbroken to share the shooting in Lexington at Richmond Road Baptist Church has taken the lives of two people. Other injuries — including a Kentucky State Police trooper from the initial stop — are being treated at a nearby hospital. The shooter has also been killed. 1/3

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 13, 2025

The suspect, who was not immediately identified by the police pending notification of family, was shot by police and died at the scene, Police Chief Weathers noted.

“There are days like today that are extremely difficult. Sometimes things happen, you just don’t have a reason why,” Weathers said, Reuters reported. “Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church,” he added.

The state trooper stopped the vehicle after receiving a “license plate reader alert” and was shot by the deceased suspect at around 11:30am on Sunday. The carjacked vehicle was tracked down by the police to the Baptist Church which is about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from where the trooper was shot.