A quiet Sunday in Lexington, Kentucky, turned into a nightmare.
A gunman went on a violent rampage that ended in bloodshed at a small church.
It all started just before noon, when a state trooper pulled over a vehicle near Blue Grass Airport.
What seemed like a routine traffic stop quickly turned dangerous.
The driver opened fire, injuring the officer, and then carjacked another vehicle to escape.
What Was His Destination?
Richmond Road Baptist Church, about 25 km away.
With police in pursuit, the suspect stormed the church grounds and began shooting.
Four parishioners were hit — two women, Beverly Gum, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, died at the scene.
Two men were rushed to the hospital, one in critical condition.
“This was a tight-knit church community,” said a local coroner’s official. “Most of them were family or close friends.”
Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the shooter may have had personal ties to someone at the church.
Officers confronted him and shot him dead on-site. His name hasn’t been released yet.
Governor Andy Beshear condemned the attack, saying: “Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country.”
A tragic day, and a chilling reminder of how quickly peace can shatter.
