A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested after fatally shooting a judge in his chambers, according to police.
District Judge Kevin Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot multiple times at the Letcher County Courthouse, as confirmed by Kentucky State Police.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder.
The shooting occurred on Thursday following an argument inside the court, though authorities have not yet disclosed the motive.
Officials stated that Judge Mullins, 54, was shot around 2:00 PM local time in Whitesburg, a small rural town approximately 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Lexington.
Sheriff Stines was arrested at the scene without incident. The nature of the argument leading up to the shooting remains unclear.
According to local newspaper the Mountain Eagle, Sheriff Stines entered the judge’s outer office and requested to speak privately with Mullins. The two then went into the judge’s chambers, closing the door behind them. Witnesses outside reported hearing gunshots.
Stines reportedly exited the chambers with his hands raised and surrendered to police, who then handcuffed him in the courthouse foyer.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman stated on X (formerly Twitter) that his office “will fully investigate and pursue justice.”
Kentucky State Police spokesman Matt Gayheart expressed that the community is in shock, saying, “This community is small in nature, and we’re all shaken.”
At the time of the shooting, 50 employees were present in the courthouse, but no one else was injured. A nearby school was briefly placed on lockdown.
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter expressed his shock at the violent act, while Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear mourned Judge Mullins’ death on social media, stating, “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
