Two women killed, two injured, after shooting at Kentucky church
Two male victims were also wounded at the Richmond Road Baptist Church in the city of Lexington on Sunday, authorities said.
One sustained critical injuries and the other was in stable condition, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers.
The suspect had earlier been pulled over near Lexington's airport by a state trooper, who had received an alert based on the vehicle's number plate.
"The trooper was shot and the suspect fled," Chief Weathers said, adding that the trooper was stable in hospital and receiving treatment.
Police said the gunman then stole a vehicle, drove around 16 miles (26km) to the church, where he opened fire and was shot dead by police.
"Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church," Chief Weathers said at a news conference. The shootings remain under investigation.
Officers have not revealed the suspect's details or speculated about a potential motive.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said the church is home to a small, tight-knit congregation. He also identified the two victims as Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 32.
Lexington is a city around 72 miles (115km) south of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear posted a message on X saying he was "heartbroken" at the deaths of the two women and other injuries, including a Kentucky State Police trooper.
"Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. Please join Britainy [my wife] and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon," he wrote.
State Attorney General Russell Coleman said detectives with his office were ready to support local and state agencies.
Blue Grass Airport confirmed in a statement that an "incident" occurred on airport property, and temporarily closed a terminal as a precaution, but it was later reopened. Police said the shooting was not related to the airport.
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