Two Women, Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs, Tragically Killed in Kentucky Church Shooting – Here’s What We Know

Police in Lexington, Kentucky, say that a routine traffic check turned into a deadly church shooting on Sunday, killing two ladies and injuring numerous more.

On July 13, 2025, a shooting at Lexington, Kentucky’s Richmond Road Baptist Church left two women dead and two men wounded after a string of violent incidents that started with a state policeman being shot close to the city’s airport, officials said.

The incident began at around 11:35 a.m. ET when a license plate scanner sent out an alarm, prompting a Kentucky state trooper to stop cars on Terminal Drive close to Blue Grass Airport.

The suspect fled the area after shooting the trooper during the stop and then stole a car.

According to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, who spoke at a press conference on Sunday, the suspect went approximately 15 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where additional violence occurred.

“Fired his weapon at individuals on church property,” Chief Lawrence said, after the suspect arrived at the church.

Two ladies were shot and killed: Christina Combs, 34, and Beverly Gumm, 72.

Previously, Christina’s age was stated as 32 by the Fayette County Coroner, which was inaccurate.

The gunfire at the church also injured two guys.

One is still in serious condition, and the other is stable.

The status of the trooper hurt in the original shooting is also stable.

Three responding officers at the church shot and killed the suspect.

His identification has been verified by the police, but they have not yet disclosed his name, stating that they must inform his family.

Officials stated that while no additional information was provided, initial intelligence points to the shooter possibly having ties to people at the church.

According to Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn, the congregation of Richmond Road Baptist Church is “a very tight-knit group of people,” with many of its members having ties to one another.

“I was able to promptly notify the families of the victims,” he added.

Situated in Lexington’s rural Old Richmond Road Corridor, the chapel is next to an alpaca farm and a horseback riding school.

The website of Richmond Road Baptist Church states that it is a “independent, landmark, sovereign grace, missionary New Testament Baptist Church,” as CNN reported.

Jerry Gumm, the church’s pastor, has posted more than 800 sermons on the internet.

A live-streamed sermon was taking place on Facebook at the time of the shooting.

Pastor Jerry had brought up death about ten times during the sermon.

Two days prior to the incident, Beverly posted her last message on Facebook.

On July 11, she posted a picture along with a phrase that emphasized the value of enduring no matter what feelings or situations one is experiencing.

Following the tragedy, Rachael Barnes posted on Facebook to share her grief over the deaths of her sister and mother.

She claimed in one post that she loved her younger sister, Christina, and her mother, Beverly, but that she did not think the circumstances were real.

She shared a photo of herself and her mother along with a post in which she pondered on her last moments with her mother and said she would not have left her side if she had known it would be their last day together.

At one point, Rachael disclosed, her mother had written a book at her request.

The book was replete with tales about Beverly’s family, friends, and kids.

She clarified that the book was something she wanted to keep in touch with her mother after she died away.

She remembered promising her mother she would need her counsel after she left.

The book was finished by Beverly last year.

Rachael claimed that she never thought she would read it so quickly.

A statement on Rachael’s Facebook page states that Christina has left her five children and husband, Randy Combs, behind.

She was pursuing a nursing degree at Saint Joseph Hospital and was expected to graduate in December.

On spotfund.com, fundraisers for both victims have been started.

As of July 14, Combs has raised over $700 toward a $10,000 goal, and Beverly has raised over $1,000 of a $5,000 target.

More contributions are anticipated.

A number of state officials responded to the incident on social media.

Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, acknowledged that one person was engaged in several shootings in Lexington, including one at the church and another involving troopers.

He also mentioned that a nearby hospital was caring for the injured people.

“I’m praying for the injured trooper and everyone who is hurt at the Richmond Road Baptist Church,” said Congressman Andy Barr.

The state police and first responders were commended for their efforts, and he said he was keeping a careful eye on the situation.

Senator Rand Paul also offered his thoughts on the matter, expressing his sorrow at the shootings that occurred at both sites.

He mentioned that he and his spouse, Kelley, were praying for the trooper, the victims, and their loved ones.

Additionally, he underlined that violence is unacceptable in Kentucky.

Authorities are still looking into the incident while the neighborhood deals with the fallout from the violence.