Two people have been fatally shot at a church in Kentucky by a gunman who had just shot a police officer nearby, officials said.
Two women, aged 72 and 32, died in Sunday’s attack at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, and two male parishioners were injured, said police.
Investigators believe the suspect, who was shot dead by police, had a connection to individuals at the church.
State police said the wounded trooper was receiving medical treatment. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear offered his condolences on social media, saying “violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country”.
The initial shooting occurred at 11:36 local time (15:36 GMT) on Sunday near the Blue Grass Airport, a regional hub in Fayette County.
A state trooper pulled over the suspect’s car on Terminal Drive after receiving a registration plate reader alert, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers told a news conference.
The suspect shot the trooper, “carjacked a vehicle” as he fled and drove towards the church about 16 miles (25km) away, with law enforcement in pursuit.
Lexington Police said the injured trooper was “in stable condition receiving medical treatment”.
