Sheriff charged after allegedly shooting Kentucky judge to death in courthouse

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. ( WJHL ) — A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed at the local courthouse on Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged in the shocking slaying, police said.

The governor said the judge was fatally shot in his chambers. The preliminary investigation indicates that the sheriff shot District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, following an argument inside the courthouse, police said.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, police said. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Multiple agencies responded after a 911 call was placed around 2:55 p.m. about shots being fired from inside the building. According to Kentucky State Police, Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

State police said lifesaving measures were attempted but Mullins was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the Letcher County community.

“Anytime a situation like this takes place, especially in a small town, it shakes the very foundation of what the town is and this is no different,” Kentucky State Trooper Matt Gayheart said.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued a statement on the shooting over social media saying in part that there is “far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman also issued a statement on X , saying that his office will work with Commonwealth Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in the case.

Letcher County Public Schools posted to social media shortly before 3:30 p.m. stating Letcher County Central High School went into a mandatory lockdown due to an active shooting in the downtown area.

The school system stated that KSP ordered the lockdown.

“Your children are safe,” the school’s social media post reads. “The shooter has been apprehended, but KSP has not released us to come out of lockdown. Your children were never in a concerning situation.”

The Kentucky Court of Justice provided its own statement on social media , stating it was in contact with KSP and other authorities and is “offering our full support during this difficult time.”

This is a developing story and will be updated ; The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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