On Sunday, July 13, 2025, a violent shooting spree unfolded in Lexington, Kentucky, claiming the lives of three individuals, including the suspect, and leaving several others injured, including a Kentucky State Police trooper. The incidents occurred at two locations: Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport and Richmond Road Baptist Church, approximately 15 miles away.
The sequence of events began around 11:36 a.m. when a Kentucky State Trooper pulled over a vehicle on Terminal Drive following a license plate reader alert. During the stop, the suspect opened fire, wounding the trooper, who was subsequently hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition. The suspect then fled the scene, carjacking a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Wood Drive, approximately 10 miles from the airport.
The suspect proceeded to Richmond Road Baptist Church, located in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road, a small, tight-knit congregation where many members are related or have longstanding connections. There, around 1:00 p.m., the suspect opened fire on church grounds, fatally shooting two women: 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 34-year-old Christina Combs. Two men were also injured in the church shooting, one in critical condition and the other stable, both receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Lexington Police, with assistance from air support and intelligence, tracked the suspect to the church. Upon arrival, three Lexington Police officers engaged the suspect, who was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect has been identified by authorities, though his name has not been officially released pending notification of his family. Unverified posts on X have named the suspect as Guy E. House, a 47-year-old originally from Lexington, but this has not been confirmed by official sources.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have had a connection to individuals at the church, though specific motives remain under investigation by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team, with support from the Lexington Police Department, ATF, and FBI. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative assignment pending an internal review, in accordance with Lexington Police Department policies. Body-worn cameras were activated during the incident, and footage will be reviewed as part of the investigation.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his grief, stating, “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.” He urged the community to pray for those affected and thanked law enforcement for their swift response. Senator Rand Paul and Representative Andy Barr also shared condolences, emphasizing support for the victims, the injured trooper, and the Lexington community.
The shootings, which occurred in a place of worship described as a close-knit family environment, have left the Lexington community in shock. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances and motives behind this tragic event, with ongoing efforts to provide support to those affected.
