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By Hollie Silverman and Mandy Taheri
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Two women were killed, and three others, including a Kentucky State Trooper, were injured after a suspect shot at the officer and fled to the Richmond Road Baptist Church, Kentucky authorities said on Sunday.
Police have confirmed that the suspect is also dead.
Newsweek has reached out to the Lexington Fire Department and the Richmond Road Baptist Church for comment via email on Sunday.
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What To Know
"I'm heartbroken to share the shooting in Lexington at Richmond Road Baptist Church has taken the lives of two people," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post.
Four people were shot at on church property, the two women who were killed and two men who have been transported to the hospital, the Lexington Police Department said in a press release.
"One victim was reported to have sustained critical injuries and the other was reported in stable condition," the police said.
In a second post, the governor wrote: "Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. Please join Britainy and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon."
A single suspect was involved in two shootings Sunday in Lexington, with the first reported around 11:36 a.m. local time in Fayette County, Kentucky. The suspect "shot a trooper and then fled the scene, ending up at the Richmond Road Baptist Church," the Kentucky State Police (KSP) said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon.
The Lexington Police Department said in a Sunday statement the shootings are "connected," noting the first took place "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."
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said at a press conference Sunday that the suspect shot the trooper after being pulled over near the airport.
A spokesperson for the Blue Grass Airport told Newsweek that the incident "happened on a roadway on airport property." The statement noted that "the airport is fully operational at this time, and flights are coming and going as usual."
Following the initial shooting, the suspect carjacked a vehicle and fled several miles to the church where the suspect began shooting at people, Weathers said.
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There, state police and members of the Lexington Police Department "were able to secure the suspect" according to KSP who also shared the statement on social media.
"Three Lexington Police Officers fired their service weapons," the police department confirmed. The incident is being investigated by Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team and the department's Public Integrity Unit will conduct an internal review of the officers' conduct.
"As per policy, the officers will be placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of the investigation," the department said.
What People Are Saying
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote in a post on X Sunday: "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."
In a later post, he wrote: "Kentucky, let's stand strong together and support our Lexington neighbors during this difficult time."
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said during a Sunday press conference: "Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church."
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in a X post: "Saddened to hear about the tragic shootings—Blue Grass Airport and Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington. Kelley and I are praying for all the victims, the injured trooper, and their families. We are grateful for the brave first responders. Violence like this has no place in Kentucky."
Representative Andy Barr, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in a Sunday X post: "Praying for the Kentucky State Trooper injured today and all parishioners injured at Richmond Road Baptist Church. I'm monitoring this situation very closely and I'm grateful for the State Police and first responders involved in responding."
What Happens Next?
The suspect and victim's information will be released to the public after the families are informed.
Update 7/13/25, 5:57 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 7/13/25, 5:23 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 7/13/25, 5:02 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and a new headline.
Update 7/13/25, 4:35 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 7/13/25, 4:16 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 7/13/25, 3:51 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and new a headline.
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