On a quiet Sunday morning in Lexington, Kentucky, a violent chain of events shattered the peace, leaving a community grappling with grief and recovery. On July 13, 2025, a deadly shooting spree unfolded, beginning with a traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport and culminating in a massacre at Richmond Road Baptist Church that claimed three lives and wounded several others.
The incident began around 11:30 a.m. when 47-year-old Guy House of Lexington shot Kentucky State Police Trooper Jude Remilien during a routine traffic stop. Remilien, a three-year veteran of the agency, was critically injured but remains hospitalized in stable condition. According to Kentucky State Police, after shooting the trooper, House fled the scene, stealing a vehicle to escape.
What followed was a terrifying rampage at Richmond Road Baptist Church, where House arrived shortly after 12:30 p.m. There, he opened fire, shooting four people and tragically killing two. Among the victims were 34-year-old Christina Combs and 72-year-old Beverly Gumm, the wife of Pastor Jerry Gumm. Both women were beloved members of the church community, and their deaths have left a profound void.
Randy Combs, Christina's husband and a survivor of the attack, was shot multiple times in the face during the assault. The bullets caused entry and exit wounds behind his left ear, through his left cheek, and under his chin. He remains hospitalized, stable but still reliant on a breathing tube and communicating with the aid of a whiteboard and marker. The second survivor, Pastor Jerry Gumm, also remains hospitalized as he recovers from his injuries.
The Combs family has been thrust into unimaginable hardship. Randy and Christina had been together for 15 years and shared five children. Randy now faces not only a long road to recovery but also the immense responsibility of caring for their children alone. Heather Combs, Randy's aunt, spoke poignantly about the family's struggle: "My cousin Randy has a very long road ahead of him. And he is now responsible for five children who have needs every day." She added, "I hope and pray that he’s able to come out of this and live a somewhat normal life even though we know that this is something that he and his children are going to think about every single day."
The family has rallied around Randy and the children, providing constant support. Visits to the hospital include the children, who find comfort in being near their father despite the trauma. Kirstin Morton, Randy’s cousin, shared a heartbreaking moment: "She broke down crying because she didn’t want to leave her dad. You know, I get it, you see your mom get shot and the only person you have left is your dad." To assist with mounting medical bills and the immediate needs of the children, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign, inviting the community to help ease their burden.
The violent episode concluded when Lexington police officers confronted Guy House in the church’s parking lot. In the ensuing confrontation, officers fatally shot House, ending the threat but leaving a community forever changed.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is leading the ongoing investigation into the shootings. Authorities are piecing together the timeline and motives behind House's actions, while the community mourns and begins the slow process of healing.
This tragedy has reverberated beyond the immediate victims and their families. Local businesses and residents near the Blue Grass Airport and Richmond Road areas experienced disruption and heightened anxiety. A nearby restaurant manager described the scene as "a lot of panic," reflecting the shock that gripped the neighborhood.
As Lexington processes this harrowing event, the resilience of its people shines through. The support for the Combs family and others affected underscores the strength of community bonds in the face of adversity. Yet, the scars left by the violence will linger, a somber reminder of the fragility of peace and the urgent need for vigilance and compassion.
