Lexington leaders, families call for change at vigil honoring shooting victims

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — City leaders, faith organizers, and grieving families gathered outside the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Tuesday to honor the victims of Lexington’s July 13 church shooting — and to call for more action against violence.

The vigil remembered 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and her daughter, 34-year-old Christina Combs, who were killed at Richmond Road Baptist Church during a shooting rampage that also injured their husbands and a Kentucky State Police trooper.

Faith leaders like Pastor Richard Gaines urged attendees to reflect on their role in creating change: “My question to you tonight is, how far are you willing to go to make this city better? How deeply involved are you willing to be? What sacrifices are you willing to make to make this city better?”

Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers echoed the call to action: “This is about saving lives. We must step up and be heard. We gotta step out and be seen. And we have to step in if we want to stop this kind of violence.”

But for some parents who’ve also lost loved ones to gun violence, the vigil was bittersweet — a reminder of how many families continue to grieve.

Priscilla Sandifer, whose daughter died in a 2022 mass shooting, questioned why her child never received similar recognition: “This really saddened my heart when I heard the mayor and chief of police were coming together for a vigil. My daughter didn’t get a vigil. So I’m just trying to understand what’s the difference.”

Tonya Lindsey, who lost her son to gun violence years ago, expressed frustration over what she sees as a lack of progress: “This is not the first tragedy. This has been going on for the last 12 years and it’s the same outcome. No accountability. No change.”

Community leaders say they hope the vigil sparks meaningful dialogue and a renewed commitment to addressing violence in Lexington.