The shooter then carjacked another vehicle and fled 16 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he was cornered by pursuing cops, police said.

Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the gunman, who may have a connection to the congregation, fired on worshippers inside the Baptist church.

Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, were shot dead as they tried to escape, and two men were wounded and rushed to the hospital, one in critical condition.

Three Lexington Police Department officers opened fire on the gunman and killed him, Chief Weathers said. He has been identified but his family is yet to be notified.

The wounded deputy was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries but is in a stable condition, the Lexington Fire Department said.