A deadly shooting occurred in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday when an armed assailant opened fire at Richmond Road Baptist Church, killing two women and injuring two others. The attack followed an earlier incident where the same gunman shot and wounded a Kentucky state trooper.

According to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, the violence began just before noon near Blue Grass Airport when a state trooper attempted a routine traffic stop triggered by a license plate alert. During this encounter, the suspect fired at the trooper, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries.

After shooting the officer, the gunman fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle without harming its occupant, and drove approximately 16 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church while being pursued by law enforcement.

"The suspect fired his weapon at individuals on church property," Chief Weathers stated during a press briefing. "Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church."

The Fayette County Coroner's Office identified the deceased victims as 72-year-old Beverly Gum and 32-year-old Christina Combs. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene. Two men were also shot during the attack—one remains in critical condition while the other is reported to be stable.

Responding officers shot and killed the suspect at the church. Authorities have not yet released the gunman's identity as they work to notify next of kin.

The shooting has devastated the local community, with one official describing the church congregation as "a very tight-knit group of people."

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear condemned the attack on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter): "Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country."

The Kentucky State Police and the department's Public Integrity Unit are leading the investigation as authorities work to determine the motive behind the deadly rampage and any potential connections between the shooter and the victims.

This incident adds to the growing concern about violence in places of worship across the United States, highlighting the vulnerability of religious gatherings and the need for enhanced security measures.

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