2 killed in shooting at Kentucky church, suspect dead: Police
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDKY) — Two people are dead and three others are injured, including a Kentucky State Police trooper, after a "series of incidents" involving one suspect in Lexington on Sunday that culminated in a shooting at a Baptist Church. The suspect was killed by police, authorities confirmed Sunday afternoon.
Troopers initially stopped a suspect near the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington after 11:30 a.m. ET after receiving a plate reader alert, authorities explained during a Sunday press conference. During the traffic stop, the suspect shot and injured the state trooper before fleeing the scene.
Lexington Police confirmed the shooting occurred on was "unrelated" to the airport.
Authorities said he then carjacked a vehicle and drove off. He was tracked to the Richmond Road Baptist Church, roughly 16 miles away from the airport.
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, is believed to have connections to the Baptist Church, which authorities described as having a small congregation, many of whom are related.
A shooting occurred on church property, police said, with four people — two women and two males — being struck by gunfire.
The two women, a 72-year-old and a 32-year-old, have died, according to police. The two males, who were not identified at Sunday's press conference, were taken to an area hospital. One suffered critical injuries while the other was listed in stable condition.
State police and officers with the Lexington Police Department "were able to secure the suspect" at the Baptist Church. Three Lexington Police officers discharged their service weapons, Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said Sunday, and the suspect was shot by police.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the injured trooper is stable and receiving medical treatment. Weathers credited witnesses who stopped to help the trooper, whose identity was not released.
Authorities did not provide details on a possible motive behind the shootings.
"Sometimes things happen, and we just don't have a reason why," Weathers said Sunday.
The area around the Baptist Church was blocked off, with police asking residents to "follow all directions given by officers and use alternative routes."
"Officers will remain in the area until the investigation is complete," authorities said.
Officials at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport reported shortly before 1 p.m. ET that a law enforcement investigation was impacting a nearby road. Flights were on schedule and operations were "continuing as usual," the airport said in a post to X. Arriving passengers were being guided to open parking.
"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," Governor Andy Beshear said in a post to X while acknowledging "a series of incidents in Lexington around one suspect, including a trooper-involved shooting and an additional shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church with multiple injuries."