Lexington Police have released details surrounding a series of violent incidents that unfolded on Sunday, July 13, 2025, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including the suspect, and injuries to several others, including a Kentucky State Trooper.
The suspect, identified as Guy E. House, was involved in two connected shootings—one on Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport and another at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
The incident began around 11:36 a.m. in Fayette County when House allegedly shot a Kentucky State Trooper on Terminal Drive after the trooper pulled over his vehicle following a license plate reader alert. Authorities clarified that the shooting was unrelated to Blue Grass Airport operations and did not occur inside the airport terminal. The injured trooper was transported to a nearby hospital and is listed in stable condition.
Shortly after the initial shooting, House carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Wood Drive. No injuries were reported during the carjacking. With assistance from the Lexington Police Department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center and Air Support Unit, officers tracked the stolen vehicle to Richmond Road Baptist Church, located in the 5800 block of Old Richmond Road.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., police responded to reports of an active shooting at the church involving multiple victims. Upon arrival, officers confronted House, who opened fire on churchgoers. Three Lexington Police officers returned fire, fatally shooting House, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Tragically, two female victims at the church succumbed to their injuries. They were identified as Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 34. Two male victims were also shot and transported to a local hospital, with one reported in critical condition and the other in stable condition. Their identities have not been released pending family notification.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers noted during a press conference that preliminary information suggests House may have had a connection to individuals at the church, though specific details were not disclosed. The Richmond Road Baptist Church, described as a tight-knit community where many congregants are related or long-time friends, was deeply shaken by the tragedy.
The shootings on Terminal Drive and at Richmond Road Baptist Church are confirmed to be connected incidents involving a single suspect. The church shooting is being investigated as an officer-involved shooting, with the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team assisting to ensure transparency. The three Lexington Police officers who fired their weapons had their body-worn cameras activated and have been placed on administrative assignment pending an internal review by the department’s Public Integrity Unit.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed heartbreak over the incident, stating, “Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. 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.” Senator Rand Paul and Representative Andy Barr also issued statements offering prayers for the victims and gratitude for the first responders.
The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisting Lexington detectives. Authorities have not yet released a motive but noted that House reportedly had a history of mental health, drug, and anger issues, as well as a prior domestic situation involving an ex-girlfriend who had filed protection orders against him.
“We ask the public to continue keeping the victims, their families, and the injured trooper in their thoughts,” said a Lexington Police spokesperson. “The swift actions of law enforcement prevented further harm, and we are committed to providing answers as the investigation progresses.”
