A suspect shot and wounded a state trooper near a Kentucky airport on Sunday before fleeing to a nearby church, killing two women and wounding two men.

At 11.36am ET on Sunday, an unidentified shooter opened fire near Blue Grass airport in Lexington and wounded a state trooper, according to authorities. The shooting occurred after the trooper had pulled over a vehicle after receiving a license plate reader alert in the area of Versailles Road, Lexington police said.

The suspect carjacked a vehicle in the 3700 block of Belleau Wood Drive before fleeing the scene. The suspect then fled to Richmond Road Baptist church where four individuals were shot. Two women were pronounced dead at the scene and two other men were transported to a local hospital.

According to media reports, the women killed were 72 years old and 32 years old. Additionally, one of the men who was injured was reported to have sustained critical injuries while the other was reported to be in stable condition.

“Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to individuals at the church,” Lexington police said, adding that the Fayette county coroner’s office will release the deceased victims’ information.

Police added that the suspect was shot by responding law enforcement and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police added that information about the suspect will be released after their family is notified.

View image in fullscreen Police officer at Richmond Road Baptist church on Sunday in Lexington, Kentucky. Photograph: Michael Swensen/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the state trooper is currently being treated at a nearby hospital.

“Three Lexington Police Officers fired their service weapons. In accordance with Lexington Police Department policies, the officers had their issued body-worn cameras (BWCs) activated. The incident is being investigated by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team, and the department’s Public Integrity Unit will conduct an internal review of the incident,” Lexington police said.

The police department added that as per policy, the officers will be placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a statement online, Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, said: “Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country. Please join [my wife] Britainy and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon. Thank you to the @lexkypolice and @kystatepolice for their brave efforts today.”

“Kentucky, let’s stand strong together and support our Lexington neighbors during this difficult time,” he added.