On a Sunday in Lexington, Kentucky, that began like any other, tragedy shattered the peace of the Richmond Road Baptist Church. Beverly Gumm, a 72-year-old woman, was in the church's fellowship hall with one of her daughters preparing lunch when a man entered through a back door. The man, later identified as 47-year-old Guy House, was looking for another of Gumm's daughters, with whom he had children.
When told the woman he was seeking was not there, House reportedly stated, 'Well,
someone is gonna have to die, then,' and opened fire. Though she initially dodged the first bullet, a second shot struck Beverly Gumm in the chest, fatally wounding her. The gunman then moved outside, where he shot and killed Gumm's 32-year-old daughter, Christina Combs. The violence also left two men injured: Beverly's husband and the church's longtime pastor, Jerry Gumm, and Christina's husband, Randy Combs.
The events at the church were the culmination of a violent spree that began earlier that day. House had first shot and injured a Kentucky State Police trooper who had pulled him over near the Blue Grass Airport. After fleeing that scene, he carjacked a vehicle and drove to the church. The rampage ended when police confronted House at the church and he was shot and killed by officers. Family members indicated that House had a history of mental health and drug issues. Beverly Gumm was remembered as a devoted wife, a beloved mother of eight, and a cherished member of her church community who was known for her kindness and faith.
