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Judge shot dead in Kentucky, county sheriff charged with murder

Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was shot and killed in his office on Thursday. Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, was arrested and charged with murder. Photo courtesy of Kentucky Court of Justice/Website

Sept. 20 (UPI) – A Kentucky judge was shot dead in his courtroom on Thursday, authorities said. A county sheriff was arrested and charged with murder.

District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times shortly before 3 p.m. EDT on Thursday at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, southeastern Kentucky.

Kentucky State Police responded to reports of shots fired inside the building and found the injured judge. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene by the Letcher County Coroner's Office, Kentucky State Police said in a statement.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, of McRoberts, Kentucky, was arrested at the courthouse and charged with murder.

According to authorities, a preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting followed an unspecified argument between Mullins and Stines.

“The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by Detective Clayton Stamper of KSP Post 13,” Kentucky State Police said.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office would work with local authorities to “fully investigate the case and seek justice.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement on Facebook that he had been informed of the shooting.

“There is far too much violence in this world and I pray there is a way to a better future,” he said.

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