Kentucky judge shot dead in examination room, sheriff charged with murder: officials

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines has been charged with murder in the death of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was killed in his office Thursday, police said.

Mullins, who presided over Letcher County, was shot in the Letcher County Courthouse, Kentucky State Police said.

Stines was arrested and faces charges in connection with the judge's murder, state police said.

A 911 caller reported gunshots in the courthouse shortly before 3 p.m. Eastern Time, state police said.

Officers and rescue workers found 54-year-old Mullins with numerous gunshot wounds, state police said. He was shot in his office, said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

At a press conference Thursday evening, officials said that although life-saving measures were taken, Mullins died at the scene of the accident.

Stines, 43, allegedly shot Mullins “after an argument at the courthouse,” according to a statement from Kentucky State Police. At the press conference, officers said they had not yet determined whether Stines used his “service weapon.”

He was taken into custody without incident and charged with first-degree murder.

He was taken to a detention center, officials said Thursday evening. Stines is cooperating with authorities conducting the investigation, officials also said. It is currently unclear whether Stines has an attorney.

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There are no reports of other injuries in the incident, Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart told ABC affiliate WJHL in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The motive is still being investigated, he told the broadcaster.

“This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public at this time,” Gayheart told WJHL.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will work with 27th Judicial District Attorney Jackie Steele as special prosecutor in the case.

“We will fully investigate the case and seek justice,” he said in a statement.

The Kentucky court said in a statement Thursday that it was in contact with law enforcement, including the Kentucky State Police, and offered “our full support during this difficult time.”

“While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way we can,” the statement continued. “Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this tragic event and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this difficult time.”

According to an order from Letcher County Judge and Chief Administrative Officer Terry Adams, the courthouse will be closed Friday.

Laurance B. VanMeter, chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, said in a statement that he was “shocked by this act of violence,” adding that the “court system is devastated by this news.”

“My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they try to process and mourn this tragic loss. On their behalf, I ask for respect and privacy,” he said.

Mullins has served as a district judge in Kentucky's 47th District Court, which covers Letcher County, since his appointment by then-Governor Steve Beshear in 2009.

He graduated from the University of Kentucky and received his law degree from the University of Louisville.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Jack Date, Darren Reynolds and Leah Sarnoff contributed to this report.

Kentucky judge shot in courtroom, sheriff charged with murder: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com