A devastating series of events unfolded in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday, July 13, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two women and injuries to several others, including a Kentucky State Trooper, following a shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church. The suspect, who was killed by law enforcement, initiated the violent spree earlier that morning near Blue Grass Airport.
The incident began around 11:36 a.m. when a Kentucky State Trooper pulled over a vehicle on Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport after receiving a license plate reader alert. The suspect shot the trooper during the encounter, leaving the officer with serious but stable injuries. The trooper was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment. The shooting was unrelated to airport operations and did not occur inside the terminal, authorities clarified.
Following the attack on the trooper, the suspect fled the scene, carjacking a vehicle on Belleau Wood Drive without causing additional injuries during the theft. The suspect then drove approximately 16 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church in southwest Lexington, where he opened fire on churchgoers gathered for Sunday services. Four individuals were shot on the church property, with two women—a 72-year-old and a 32-year-old—pronounced dead at the scene. Two men were also injured, one in critical condition and the other stable, and both were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police responded swiftly, tracking the stolen vehicle to the church with assistance from the department’s air support unit and real-time intelligence center. The suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement at the church, bringing an end to the violent rampage. The shooting at the church is being investigated as an officer-involved incident, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative assignment per standard protocol. Authorities have identified the suspect but are withholding his name pending notification of his family.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have had a connection to individuals at the church, though the motive for the attacks remains unclear. Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers described the day as “extremely difficult,” noting, “Sometimes things happen, you just don’t have a reason why.” Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn highlighted the tight-knit nature of the Richmond Road Baptist Church community, many of whom are biologically related, underscoring the profound impact of the tragedy on the congregation.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed heartbreak over the loss of life, stating, “Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. Please join Britainy and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon.” He also called for gratitude toward the Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police for their rapid response. Senator Rand Paul and Representative Andy Barr also shared condolences, urging prayers for the victims, the injured trooper, and their families while commending the bravery of first responders.
Emergency Medical Services provided immediate care to the victims, and the Lexington Fire Department responded to the initial airport shooting. The investigation, led by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team with support from Lexington’s Public Integrity Unit, is ongoing as authorities process multiple crime scenes to determine the full circumstances of the events.
The tragedy has shaken the Lexington community, raising concerns about safety in places of worship. As the investigation continues, officials have promised to release additional details as they become available. The city of Lexington, in collaboration with community partners, is preparing to offer support to those affected by this senseless act of violence.
This remains a developing story.
