Two of the victims killed in a shocking pair of shootings in Lexington, Kentucky, have been identified as Beverly Gumm, 72, and her daughter Christina Combs, 32, according to the Fayette County Coroner and NBC News.
The violence unfolded on Sunday, July 13, beginning at Blue Grass Airport and ending at Richmond Road Baptist Church, where the gunman opened fire, leaving a total of three people dead, including himself.
Timeline of the Attack
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers confirmed that the gunman was initially pulled over by a Kentucky State Police trooper around 11:36 a.m. after a license plate reader issued an alert. During the stop, the suspect shot the trooper and fled. The trooper survived and was reported to be in stable condition.
Roughly 16 miles away, the suspect then entered Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he shot four people, including Gumm and Combs. Officers arrived quickly and fatally shot the suspect on the scene.
Weathers said the shooter may have had a personal connection to the victims at the church but did not elaborate further.
Who Were Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs?
Social media posts from family members suggest that Gumm and Combs were mother and daughter. A woman named Rachael Barnes, believed to be Gumm’s daughter and Combs’ sister, confirmed the relationship in a heartbreaking Facebook post:
“My mom Beverly Gumm and my lil sister Christina Combs… I love you guys so much. I can’t believe this is real.”
According to their Facebook profiles:
- Beverly Gumm was from Berea, Kentucky, and described herself as a stay-at-home mom.
- Christina Combs attended Henry Clay High School, worked as a Mary Kay consultant, and was married to Randy Combs.
Barnes also indicated in another post that her stepfather and brother-in-law were among the others injured in the church shooting.
A Facebook user named Carolyn Lee shared that Gumm’s husband may have been the pastor at Richmond Road Baptist Church and alleged the shooter had a connection to the family through a previous marriage.
Community Response
A fundraiser has been launched to help Gumm’s family with funeral expenses, as the community reels from the tragedy.
Police are continuing to investigate the gunman’s motive and connection to the victims.
