Lexington Church Shooting: Rapper Guy House Identified As Gunman
A tragic shooting at Richmond Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, left two women dead and several others injured on Sunday. The gunman, identified as 47-year-old Guy House, was later killed by authorities after also shooting a state trooper at Blue Grass Airport.
House, a local rapper known by the stage name HonKy Kong, was described by friends and family as caring and well-loved. Many believe he suffered a mental breakdown, triggered by being denied access to his daughter.
Who Was the Shooter?
Guy House was a father, musician, and public figure in his community with over 9,000 followers on Facebook. His most notable work, a song titled “Struggle Made Me,” spoke openly about his rough childhood in Kentucky. He had a reputation for being warm-hearted and charismatic but also carried a troubled past. Court records show he had a lengthy criminal history and had only been released from probation in January.
He was scheduled to appear in court the day after the shooting for a domestic violence hearing.
According to reports, House entered Richmond Baptist Church looking for the mother of his child. She wasn’t there. Instead, he opened fire, killing her mother, 72-year-old Beverly Gumm, and her sister, 32-year-old Christina Combs.
Gumm’s husband, Pastor Jerry Gumm, and Combs’ husband, Randy Combs, were also shot. Authorities say both men remain in critical but stable condition.
What Led to the Tragedy?
Multiple people close to House have said the incident stemmed from ongoing emotional and legal struggles. His cousin, Kim Taulbee, mourned him publicly on Facebook. “You snapped because you couldn’t see your baby girl,” she wrote. “Your name will never be dragged through the mud around me.”
An ex-girlfriend, who dated House earlier this year, told WKYT that he had become emotionally unstable after being denied visitation with his daughter. She said he grew suicidal and violent. She eventually filed an emergency protective order (EPO) against him after he allegedly stole her firearms, car, and personal items on July 4.
However, that protective order was never served. “I gave police his address,” she said, “but they didn’t act. He wasn’t hiding.”
She now believes that a quicker response by authorities might have prevented the church shooting. “He threatened to kill me and said he wanted to die by cop. That should have been taken seriously,” she stated.
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The loss has shaken both the church and the broader community. Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs were active members of Richmond Baptist Church. Gumm’s husband, Jerry, had been the long-time pastor of the congregation. Tributes to the victims have poured in across social media and local gatherings.
Though House’s actions were violent and condemned, those who knew him remain conflicted. Mary Robinson-Jefferson, a former partner of House, posted a message recognising the pain he caused but also the good she once saw in him. “You were loved by so many people, especially your baby girl,” she wrote. “Inside that hard exterior was a big-hearted, smart, and funny man.”
Tabitha Taylor, another friend, echoed the sentiment. “I know it isn’t looking good for your character right now, but you were one of the most authentic and caring people,” she said. “That baby girl isn’t going to see her daddy again. And that kills me.”
What Are Authorities Saying?
Kentucky State Police have not yet commented on why the protective order was not served. The trooper shot by House is recovering, though his identity has not been released. Authorities say they are continuing their investigation into the series of events that led to the church shooting and House’s eventual death.
Local officials have faced mounting criticism over their handling of House’s prior threats. The ex-girlfriend stressed that several warning signs were missed. “They had days to act. He wasn’t in hiding,” she said. “This didn’t have to happen.”
Furthermore, as the community grieves, the tragedy has sparked questions about the intersection of mental health, domestic violence, and law enforcement response. Many are asking how a known offender, with a history of instability and open threats, was able to act without intervention.
Meanwhile, loved ones of both the victims and the shooter are left with grief, confusion, and regret. In the words of one mourner, “This one hurts. I just don’t understand.”
Content Credit : Ajibola Emmanuel
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