On Thursday, Sept. 19, a Kentucky judge was fatally shot in his chambers, and a sheriff has been charged with murder.
Allison Ball, State Auditor of Public Accounts of the Commonwealth, identified the deceased as District Judge Kevin Mullins in a post on X.
During a press conference Thursday night, Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart stated that officers received a call concerning shots fired inside the Letcher County Courthouse soon before 3:00 p.m.
“Multiple law enforcement agencies from the region, along with emergency services, responded to the scene and discovered District Judge Kevin Mullins with many gunshot wounds. Life-saving procedures were attempted but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office,” he stated.
According to Gayheart, a preliminary inquiry revealed that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, reportedly shot Mullins, 54, “following an argument inside the courthouse.”
While Gayheart noted that officials have not learned of a motive and the investigation continues ongoing, he confirmed that Stines was “arrested on scene without incident shortly after officials arrive.”
“Sheriff Stines was arrested and transferred to a jail facility. “He was charged with one count of first-degree murder,” Gayheart said.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Gayheart confirmed the story in a press statement.
According to PEOPLE, Mullins presided over the 47th District Judicial District, which oversees “ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments, and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.” Kentucky Gov.
Andy Beshear also responded to the tragedy, writing on X, “Unfortunately, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and died in his chambers this afternoon. There is simply too much bloodshed in the world, and I hope there is a way to a better tomorrow.”
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said in a Facebook post that he was “shocked by this act of violence, and the court system is shaken by the news.”
“Following the fatal shooting in Letcher County, our Office will work with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in this matter. “We will conduct a thorough investigation and pursue justice,” Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman wrote on X.
Terry Adams, Lexer County judge/executive, signed an order closing the county courthouse on Friday, September 20.