Key Point Summary – Gunman Kills 2 in Kentucky Church Rampage

• Shooter opened fire after failing to locate his children’s mother
• He killed two women, including a mother of eight
• Two husbands and a state trooper were also shot
• Police fatally shot the gunman in a shootout
• The rampage began with a traffic stop at the airport
• Victims’ families mourn while the town reels
• Governor Beshear and Mayor Gorton issued emotional statements

Killer Storms Church Looking for His Ex

Gunfire ripped through Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday after a man came looking for his children’s mother. When he didn’t find her, he turned the place into a war zone.

The shooter, Guy House, barged into the church basement where Beverly Gumm, 72, and her daughter Star Rutherford were preparing food. He demanded to see Rutherford’s sister. After they said she wasn’t there, he responded chillingly: “Well, someone’s gonna have to die then.”

He opened fire immediately.

Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs Gunned Down

House shot Beverly Gumm in the chest, killing her instantly. Moments later, he walked outside and spotted 34-year-old Christina Combs—another of Rutherford’s sisters—and killed her, too.

Combs, a mother of five, had been planning to graduate from nursing school in December. She leaves behind a 6-month-old baby.

Next, the killer shot Jerry Gumm, Beverly’s husband and the church’s longtime pastor. He also shot Randy Combs, Christina’s husband. Both men were critically wounded and rushed to the University of Kentucky hospital.

Gunman’s Spree Started at the Airport

Earlier that morning, the chaos began at Blue Grass Airport. A Kentucky state trooper pulled over a car flagged by a license plate reader. As the trooper approached, House fired through the open window and hit the officer.

Witness Larissa McLaughlin saw it unfold. “It looked like a normal stop. Then—pop, pop—I knew it was gunfire,” she told Lex 18. McLaughlin ran into the airport screaming for help. Her husband called 911. She then led others to the injured trooper and helped them give first aid.

Carjacking and the Final Shootout

After fleeing the scene, House carjacked a vehicle and drove roughly 15 miles to the church. There, his deadly rampage continued.

Police arrived as he was still armed. Officers surrounded the church and exchanged gunfire with House. They killed him during the firefight, finally ending the bloodshed.

The wounded men—Jerry and Randy—remained hospitalized Sunday night. According to family updates, Randy had regained consciousness. Jerry was still sedated following surgery.

A Grieving Community Remembers Its Loved Ones

Star Rutherford called her mother a pillar of faith. “She loved God and loved serving others,” she said. Her sister, Dasey “Patches” Rutherford, remembered Beverly’s “love language” as feeding the hungry.

Another sister, Rachael Barnes, described Christina Combs as a loving mom full of dreams. She had worked tirelessly to care for her children while pursuing a nursing degree.

The tragedy left the entire congregation shattered.

City and State Leaders React

Governor Andy Beshear took to X, calling for prayers. “Please pray for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence,” he wrote. He also thanked state and local law enforcement for their swift response.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton expressed her heartbreak, calling the mass shooting a “tragedy that no community should face.”

“Our police worked hand in hand with state officers to stop the threat and protect more lives,” she added.

Investigation Still Ongoing

Authorities have yet to release a clear motive for House’s deadly actions. However, the attack seemed targeted and deeply personal. It began with a traffic stop and escalated into a multi-scene shooting that left two families destroyed.

Law enforcement officials continue reviewing evidence and statements from witnesses. Meanwhile, residents are left grieving and questioning how such horror unfolded on a peaceful Sunday morning.