Kentucky sheriff held over fatal shooting of judge in court
A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested for fatally shooting a judge in his chambers, according to police reports.
District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot multiple times and died at the scene in the Letcher County Courthouse, as confirmed by Kentucky State Police.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder.
The incident occurred on Thursday following an argument in court, though authorities have not disclosed the motive.
Judge Mullins, 54, was shot around 2:00 PM local time in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a small rural town about 150 miles southeast of Lexington.
Sheriff Stines was taken into custody at the scene without any resistance, and police have not provided details about the argument prior to the shooting.
According to the local newspaper, the Mountain Eagle, Sheriff Stines entered the judge’s outer office and requested to speak privately with Mullins. They then went into the judge’s chambers, closing the door, after which gunshots were heard from outside.
Sheriff Stines reportedly walked out with his hands up and surrendered to police. He was handcuffed in the courthouse foyer.
The state attorney general, Russell Coleman, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his office “will fully investigate and pursue justice”.
Kentucky State Police spokesman Matt Gayheart told a news conference that the town was shocked by the incident
“This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,” he said.
Mr Gayheart said that 50 employees were inside the court building when the shooting occurred.
No-one else was hurt. A school in the area was briefly placed on lockdown.
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B VanMeter said he was “shocked by this act of violence”.
Announcing Judge Mullins’ death on social media, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
