One woman aged 72 and another aged 32 have been killed in a shooting at the Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
The gunman, who has been confirmed deceased, has been identified, though police have withheld the name pending notification of the family, as per officials.
The suspect fled to the church, where two men were also shot and injured, after shooting a state trooper near the Blue Grass Airport, police said.
The incident at the airport unfolded from 11.35am on Sunday (Monday AEST).
The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, fired at a trooper on Terminal Drive near the airport before fleeing to Richmond Road Baptist Church, according to Kentucky State Police and Lexington Police Department.
Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police stated that the two men from the church were taken to the hospital; one is in critical condition, while the other is stable.
State troopers and the Lexington Police Department secured the suspect, who is dead. It is unclear how the suspect died.
The injured trooper is in stable condition, Weathers said.
The first shooting was “unrelated” to the airport, police said, though officials there said it impacted a portion of Terminal Drive was impacted. “Our team is on site guiding passengers to open parking. All flights and operations are now continuing as usual,” airport officials said on X.
In a statement, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked residents to thank law enforcement for their response to the incidents.
“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,” he said.
