Two people were killed and at least three others including a state trooper were injured in what authorities described as a series of incidents in Lexington, Kentucky.
The unidentified suspect shot a Kentucky State Police trooper on a terminal road at the Blue Grass Airport at 11:36 a.m., according to Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers. The trooper had pulled over the suspect after receiving a license plate reader alert in the area.
“The trooper was shot and the suspect fled,” Weathers said, adding that the trooper is in stable condition and receiving treatment.
Law enforcement caught up with the suspect at Richmond Road Baptist Church, about 16 miles to the southeast, where he also opened fire, according to Weathers.
“Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church,” Weathers said. “Four individuals were shot on church property.”
Two female victims were pronounced deceased at the scene, Weathers said.
Two others, both male, were shot, the police chief added. One is in critical condition while the other is stable.
“The suspect was shot by responding law enforcement and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Weathers said. “The suspect’s information will be released after their family is notified.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear addressed the series of shootings in a post on X.
“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,” Beshear wrote. “Details are still emerging, and we will share more information as available.”
The Lexington Fire Department said it responded to a shooting at the airport at 11:39 a.m. and transported one person with “serious injuries” to the hospital, according to NBC affiliate WLEX.
Blue Grass Airport confirmed in a statement that an “incident” occurred on a roadway on airport property. The airport said it temporarily closed the roadway and terminal out of precaution but that it was later reopened.
Weathers added that the shooting was not related to the airport.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman thanked first responders in a statement following the shootings and said he was praying for the families involved. His office was also ready to assist the agencies involved, the attorney general added.
“This is another reminder of the grave danger we ask law enforcement to face every single day,” Coleman said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
