A Routine Traffic Stop Turned Into a Nightmare—Two Women Lost, a Community Shattered

What began as a routine traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport on July 13 spiraled into unthinkable violence. A suspect shot a Kentucky state trooper, carjacked a vehicle, and sped toward Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington. Moments later, gunfire echoed through the sanctuary.

By the time it was over, two beloved women were dead: Christina Combs, 34, a mother of five and aspiring nurse, and Beverly Gumm, 72, the quiet cornerstone of her family. Two men were wounded—one critically—and the injured trooper remains in stable condition. The shooter, believed to have had personal ties to someone inside the church, was killed on site. Authorities have not yet released his name.

Christina had dedicated her life to caring for others, working at Saint Joseph Hospital while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Beverly, remembered by her daughter as “wise, kind, and strong,” was known for her faith and unconditional love.

Now, the Richmond Road Baptist Church, once a place of prayer and peace, stands at the center of a tragedy no one saw coming. As grief ripples through Lexington, fundraisers have been launched to help the families left behind.

Governor Andy Beshear and city leaders have spoken out, thanking first responders and pledging support for victims. But questions still linger. What drove this man to such violence? Why that place? Why them?

The answers may come in time. But for now, a city mourns—and two families try to heal from a loss that can never fully be measured.