In a horrific act of violence that has stunned the Bluegrass State and left an indelible mark on a tight-knit congregation, two women—identified as 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and her 32-year-old daughter Christina Combs—were fatally gunned down Sunday morning at the Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Authorities say the gunman, Guy E. House, was Christina’s ex-husband. He was killed after exchanging fire with law enforcement during his violent rampage.
Three other individuals were wounded in the attack, including a Kentucky State Trooper, one man who remains in critical condition, and another in stable condition. The suspected gunman, who had traveled from New Mexico to carry out the shooting, was reportedly killed by police after opening fire on members of the congregation.
What began as a tranquil morning of worship turned into a massacre that has traumatized survivors, shattered families, and left an entire city searching for answers.
The Victims: A Mother and Daughter Targeted
Family members confirmed that both Beverly Gumm and her daughter Christina Combs were present at church when House arrived. Gumm, a longtime Lexington resident and devout churchgoer, had reportedly been active in the congregation for decades. Her daughter Christina, described by those who knew her as kind-hearted and resilient, had been struggling to rebuild her life after a difficult marriage to House.
They never had a chance to escape. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene, their bodies discovered by first responders as law enforcement rushed into the sanctuary under active gunfire.
“The loss of these two wonderful souls is beyond comprehension,” said a family friend in a Facebook post. “They didn’t deserve this. They were faithful, loving, and cherished by everyone who knew them.”
The Shooter: Guy E. House
Authorities have identified the gunman as Guy Edward House, a 38-year-old originally from Lexington who had recently been residing in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Described as the estranged ex-husband of Christina Combs, House reportedly had a long and tumultuous history with the victim, including prior instances of domestic conflict and separation.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. However, law enforcement officials suggest early evidence points toward a personal vendetta against his ex-wife and mother-in-law. Police are still combing through his social media accounts, which reportedly reveal radicalized sentiments, including anti-Western rhetoric and pro-Palestinian ideological leanings—though no direct link has been established between those views and Sunday’s attack.
“This appears to have been a targeted ambush, not a random act of violence,” said Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers at a somber news conference. “We believe House deliberately came to this location knowing who would be there.”
Chaos Inside the Church: The Attack Unfolds
It was just past 10 a.m. when worshippers at Richmond Road Baptist Church began their Sunday service. Choir music had just finished, and the pastor was preparing to deliver the message when gunfire erupted outside the sanctuary.
House had reportedly parked across the street and approached the church on foot. Without warning, he opened fire on members of the congregation, striking several individuals near the entrance before moving closer to the building.
“There was panic, people screaming, ducking, trying to get behind pews,” recalled one survivor who asked not to be named. “Then we heard more shots—it was chaos.”
An off-duty Kentucky State Trooper, attending the service with his family, immediately intervened. Armed and trained, he confronted the gunman in an attempt to protect worshippers, but was struck by gunfire in the leg and shoulder during the exchange. His injuries are said to be non-life-threatening, and he is expected to recover.
Responding officers arrived minutes later and found House still armed. A brief but intense shootout ensued in the church parking lot. House was struck multiple times and pronounced dead on scene.
Three Others Shot: One in Critical Condition
In addition to Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs, two other male victims were wounded in the attack. One, described as a longtime deacon of the church, remains in critical condition at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. Another man, reportedly in his 50s, was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm and is in stable condition.
“These were innocent people,” Chief Weathers emphasized. “They came here to worship in peace, and were instead met with violence.”
A Law Enforcement and Community Response
The attack drew an immediate and overwhelming response from local, state, and federal agencies. The Lexington Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the FBI have launched a joint investigation. Officers secured the crime scene and began processing evidence, including surveillance footage, shell casings, and cell phone data left behind by the suspect.
“We are working around the clock to ensure we understand everything that happened and why,” said Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn, who confirmed the identities of the deceased and offered condolences to their families.
Grief counselors were dispatched to assist members of the traumatized congregation, many of whom witnessed the violence firsthand.
A Family Torn Apart
Christina Combs and Guy House shared two young children, now left without both parents. House’s relationship with his ex-wife had deteriorated following a bitter divorce, and sources close to the family say there were signs of ongoing tension and abusive behavior.
“He was controlling, manipulative, and Christina was afraid of him,” said one relative. “We never imagined it would come to this.”
Court records—though yet to be fully released—allegedly contain prior restraining orders and custody disputes. Investigators are reviewing these as part of the case’s broader context.
Radical Ideology? A Question of Motivation
While officials have not formally labeled the attack as ideologically driven, early reports suggest House may have recently adopted radical beliefs. Posts from his deactivated Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts show a pattern of anti-government language, references to foreign conflicts, and hostility toward organized religion.
But whether these views played a direct role in Sunday’s tragedy remains unclear. “This may have been more about personal rage than politics,” one investigator noted.
Still, the incident has raised alarms among security analysts who warn that ideologically unstable individuals can rapidly escalate to violence, especially when combined with mental health issues and access to firearms.
Faith in the Aftermath: A Congregation in Mourning
Richmond Road Baptist Church, a longstanding religious pillar in the Lexington community, issued a brief statement late Sunday:
“We are devastated by today’s unspeakable act of violence. We ask for your prayers and privacy as we mourn the loss of our beloved members and support the injured and their families. We stand in faith, even in darkness.”
Local leaders joined in solidarity. A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday evening on the church lawn. Pastors from across the region are expected to attend.
“We will not let evil win,” said Pastor Marcus Young of a nearby congregation. “We grieve today, but we will rise with love tomorrow.”
Moving Forward: Questions, Grief, and Resolve
For Lexington residents, this tragedy represents yet another chapter in the nation’s growing crisis of gun violence and domestic turmoil. It has reignited debates about protecting places of worship, red flag laws, and how law enforcement tracks individuals with known domestic histories.
“We need more than thoughts and prayers,” said Councilwoman Diana Greene. “We need policies that prevent violent men from killing their families in churches.”
In the coming days, funerals will be planned, and criminal records will be dissected. But for now, the focus remains on healing.
As the sun set over Richmond Road Baptist Church Sunday night, neighbors gathered quietly near the police barricades, many holding candles, others clinging to each other in shock.
One woman spoke softly as she knelt on the grass: “They were here to worship. That’s all they came to do. And they never got to go home.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.