Kentucky sheriff arrested after fatal shooting of district judge in US court

A Kentucky sheriff was arrested after allegedly shooting a district judge in his office at the Letcher County Courthouse.

District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot multiple times in an incident that occurred around 2 p.m. local time on Thursday in Whitesburg, a small town about 150 miles southeast of Lexington.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and police have not disclosed the nature of the dispute that preceded the incident.

According to reports in the local newspaper Mountain Eagle, Sheriff Stines entered the judge's office and demanded a private meeting with Mullins. They then entered the judge's chambers and closed the door behind them. Shortly thereafter, witnesses heard gunshots outside the chamber.

Sheriff Stines reportedly came out with his hands up and surrendered to police without incident. He was handcuffed in the courthouse lobby. Kentucky State Police confirmed the sheriff's arrest at the scene.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office would “fully investigate the incident and seek justice.” Matt Gayheart, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police, expressed the small community's shock, noting that about 50 employees were present at the courthouse during the shooting, but there were no other injuries.

A nearby school was temporarily cordoned off as a precaution.

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter expressed dismay at the violence, saying it was shocking.

In a social media post announcing Judge Mullins' death, Governor Andy Beshear lamented the pervasive violence in society, stating, “There is far too much violence in this world and I pray there is a path to a better future.”

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