Kentucky church shooting: Suspect dead, multiple people injured

Multiple people, including a Kentucky police officer, were injured in a series of shootings around Lexington, Governor Andy Beshear said on X. The state police said the sole suspect in the incident is dead. The suspect allegedly shot a Kentucky State Police (KSP) trooper before fleeing to Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, where multiple people were later found injured.

According to a post on X from KSP, the trooper-involved shooting occurred around 11:36 AM local time. The suspect then moved to the church, where more violence followed.

A Kentucky State Police Trooper was shot at Blue Grass Airport in Fayette County on Sunday morning, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. The suspect then ran away to Richmond Road Baptist Church, which is roughly 17 miles (27 km) away, where several people were shot and injured.

“There are multiple victims at the church, and EMS is on scene,” KSP stated.

Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were hurt, the extent of their injuries, or whether there were any fatalities apart from the suspect.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE MOTIVE

Police said the Lexington Police Department (LPD) and KSP officers were able to “secure the suspect” at the church. The individual has since been confirmed dead. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, and officials are now working to understand what led to the incident.

The motive remains unclear, and investigators are gathering details about the victims, the suspect, and any possible connections.

In a statement posted on X, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responded to the tragedy with sympathy and praise for law enforcement’s quick action.

“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 Beshear wrote.

“Details are still emerging, and we will share more information as available.”

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With inputs from Reuters