Kentucky sheriff arrested for fatally shooting judge in courthouse
A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested after fatally shooting a judge in his office, police said.
Kentucky State Police say District Judge Kevin Mullins died at the scene after being shot multiple times at the Letcher County Courthouse.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Police said the shooting happened Thursday after an argument inside the courthouse, but they have not yet released a motive.
Officials said Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times around 2 p.m. local time Thursday at the courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a small rural town about 150 miles (240km) southeast of Lexington.
Chief Stines was arrested at the scene without incident, Kentucky State Police said. They did not disclose the nature of the argument before the shooting.
According to Mountain Eagle Local NewspaperSheriff Stines entered the judge’s outer office and told court staff that he needed to speak with Mullins privately.
The two men entered the judge’s office and closed the door behind them. People outside heard the gunshots, the newspaper reported.
Sheriff Stines reportedly walked out with his hands up and surrendered to police. He was handcuffed in the courthouse lobby.
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 said at a news conference that the town was shocked by the incident.
“This is a small community and we are all shocked,” he said.
Mr. Gayheart said there were 50 employees inside the courthouse when the shooting occurred.
No one else was injured. A school in the area was briefly locked down.
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B VanMeter said he was “shocked by this act of violence”.
“There is too much violence in this world and I pray that there is a path to a better tomorrow,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in announcing Judge Mullins’ death on social media.
