A tragic shooting incident unfolded Sunday at a church in Lexington, Kentucky, resulting in the deaths of two women. The violence erupted after a state trooper was shot during a traffic stop, leading to a chaotic sequence of events that ended with the suspect dead.

According to police, the suspect carjacked a vehicle following the traffic stop near Lexington's airport. He then fled to the Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he opened fire. The victims, a 72-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman, were confirmed dead at the scene by the local coroner. Two additional individuals were injured in the church shooting and were transported to a nearby hospital. One of the injured is reported to be in critical condition, while the other is stable.

The suspect was shot by police and died at the scene. His identity has not been released pending notification of family members. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers stated, "Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church."

The incident began around 11:30 a.m. when the trooper initiated a stop after receiving a license plate reader alert. The trooper was shot during this encounter but is currently in stable condition. The church is located approximately 16 miles from the site of the initial traffic stop.

The investigation into the shootings is ongoing, with police working to piece together the events that led to this tragic day. Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn noted that the church is known for its small, close-knit congregation.

In response to the violence, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged the community to pray for those affected. He expressed gratitude for the swift actions of law enforcement, stating, "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."

State Attorney General Russell Coleman also commented on the incident, saying, "Today, violence invaded the Lord’s House. The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire Commonwealth."

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shooting, local and state agencies are collaborating to ensure justice and support for those impacted.