US police officer Mickey Stines arrested for shooting Judge Kevin Mullins in his office

Washington:

A county sheriff was charged with murder Thursday after allegedly shooting a district judge in the southern U.S. state of Kentucky. Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines was taken into custody in connection with a shooting outside the Letcher County Courthouse, the Louisville Courier Journal newspaper reported.

According to CBS News, he was charged with first-degree murder.

A police spokesman told the news agency that the shooting occurred after an argument between Stines and 54-year-old Judge Kevin Mullins in his office.

Investigators have not yet revealed a motive.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the shooting in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his office this afternoon,” Beshear said.

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

Sadly, I was informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his office this afternoon.

There is far too much violence in this world and I pray there is a way to a better future. ^AB

– Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) 19 September 2024

Gun violence is widespread in the United States, a country that has more firearms than residents.

Earlier this month, a man shot and injured five people on a Kentucky highway. The shooter's body was found on Wednesday after a 10-day manhunt.

Although polls show that Americans support stronger restrictions on gun ownership, attempts to restrict gun rights always face fierce political resistance because of a powerful gun lobby, constitutional protections, and a passionate culture surrounding gun ownership.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)