LEXINGTON, KY – What started as an ordinary Sunday morning turned into a nightmare as a string of violent events claimed three lives—including that of the gunman—and left several others injured in Lexington. In a tragedy that’s rocked the community, a Kentucky State Trooper was shot, two women were killed inside a church, and the suspect was fatally shot by police.
The chaos began just before noon on July 13, when 48-year-old Guy House allegedly opened fire on a state trooper near Terminal Drive in Fayette County, not far from Blue Grass Airport. Police quickly clarified that the shooting had no connection to the airport itself. The trooper was rushed to a nearby hospital, where officials later confirmed that he is in stable condition.
Not long after that first shooting, House escalated the violence. Around 11:45 a.m., he reportedly carjacked a vehicle on Belleau Wood Drive, just a few miles away from the initial scene. Thankfully, no one was hurt during the carjacking, but it marked a dangerous turning point as the suspect continued his rampage.
Using real-time surveillance tools and aerial tracking support, Lexington Police were able to follow House’s movements in the stolen car. Their pursuit led them to a location that few would expect to become a crime scene—Richmond Road Baptist Church, nestled in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road.
At about 12:30 p.m., officers responded to urgent calls about an active shooter inside the church. What they found was horrifying. House had already opened fire on several people inside the church sanctuary. When police arrived on the scene, they confronted the armed suspect. The situation quickly escalated into an officer-involved shooting, during which House was fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tragically, the gunman’s rampage left two women dead: 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 32-year-old Kristy McCombs, both present during the church shooting. Their identities were released by Lexington Police hours later, confirming the fears of families and neighbors who had anxiously awaited news.
In addition to Gumm and McCombs, two other men were injured during the church attack. Authorities have not yet released their names or detailed the extent of their injuries, but both victims are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The disturbing sequence of events prompted swift action from multiple law enforcement agencies. Lexington Police were joined by Kentucky State Police and the Critical Incident Response Team, which will be overseeing the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Authorities are treating the events at Terminal Drive and Richmond Road Baptist Church as a single, connected incident involving the same suspect.
“This was a coordinated and fast-moving series of violent actions that endangered many people,” a Lexington Police spokesperson said during a press briefing. “Thanks to the quick and unified efforts of our officers, dispatchers, air support, and emergency personnel, we were able to prevent even greater loss of life.”
While the motive behind House’s actions is still under investigation, the tragedy has already left a deep scar on the Lexington community. Churchgoers who witnessed the violence firsthand are grappling with shock and grief, struggling to understand how a place of peace and worship turned into a scene of violence.
The church, a longstanding pillar in the community, was in the middle of a regular Sunday service when the shooting occurred. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as people scrambled for cover, and emergency responders arrived within minutes of the first 911 calls.
“This is something we never expected to happen here,” said one member of the congregation, who asked not to be named. “We come here to find hope and healing—not horror.”
As law enforcement officials continue piecing together the details, they’ve urged the public to remain patient and allow the investigation to proceed. Additional updates, including the conditions of the surviving victims and the results of the internal investigation, are expected in the coming days.
In the meantime, the names Beverly Gumm and Kristy McCombs now stand as solemn reminders of how sudden and senseless violence can disrupt even the most sacred spaces.
Local leaders and members of the faith community are organizing vigils and support groups for those affected. Mental health resources are also being made available for church members and first responders, who are now processing the trauma of what they encountered.
Anyone with information about the incident or who may have witnessed either shooting is encouraged to contact Lexington Police or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
As the city mourns and begins the long road to healing, the hope is that justice, transparency, and support for the victims’ families will guide the way forward.
