A tranquil Sunday morning in central Kentucky was shattered when a man opened fire near Blue Grass Airport, leading to a deadly series of events that culminated in a church shooting. The violence, which left two women dead and several others injured, began just before noon as Kentucky State Police trooper attempted a traffic stop on Terminal Drive. The driver, identified as 47-year-old Guy E. House, engaged in gunfire with the trooper, who sustained serious injuries.
Bystanders, in a remarkable display of courage, rushed to the aid of the wounded officer, who was later hospitalized in stable condition. Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers expressed gratitude for their actions, highlighting the community's bravery during the crisis.
Using aerial surveillance and real-time tracking, law enforcement officials tracked House to Richmond Road Baptist Church. Inside the church basement, Beverly Gumm, 72, and her daughter, Star Rutherford, were preparing lunch for the congregation when House barged in, allegedly demanding to see the mother of his three children. Upon learning she was not present, he reportedly stated, “Well, someone’s gonna have to die then,” before opening fire.
Gumm was fatally shot in the chest, and outside the church, House shot down Christina Combs, another of Rutherford's sisters, who was a nursing student and mother of five. The church's pastor, Jerry Gumm, and Christina's husband, Randy Combs, were also wounded and hospitalized, with Randy in stable condition and Jerry sedated post-surgery.
The confrontation with House ended in a shootout on church grounds, where he was fatally struck by police gunfire. Subsequent investigations into House's background revealed a criminal history, including auto theft convictions and methamphetamine use, with online activity indicating support for pro-Palestinian and pro-immigration views.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Gov. Andy Beshear, and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton issued statements expressing sorrow, commending the prompt response of first responders, and calling for unity in the face of tragedy. The motive behind House's actions remains under investigation, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
