Two dead and multiple people injured, including trooper, in Kentucky shootings
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, after a suspect first shot at the trooper.
The unidentified suspect shot a Kentucky State Police trooper in Fayette County 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.
The trooper is in stable condition and receiving treatment. Law enforcement caught up with the suspect at the Richmond Road Baptist Church, where Weathers said he also opened fire.
“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 suspects information will be released after their family is notified.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear address 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.”
State police confirmed the initial shooting was the same as one reported at around the same time near Blue Grass Airport, about 16 miles northwest of the church.
The Lexington Fire Department said it responded to a shooting at 11:39 a.m. at the airport 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 on the terminal road but the incident 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.