A 43-year-old sheriff in Kentucky, US, Shawn Stines, has been arrested for allegedly shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse, police have confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday afternoon during what was reported to be an argument between the two officials inside the courthouse in Whitesburg, a small town southeast of Lexington.
According to Kentucky State Police, the 54-year-old Judge Mullins was shot multiple times at around 2 p.m. local time and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Sheriff Stines was taken into custody without resistance and has been charged with first-degree murder. Authorities are yet to disclose the motive behind the shooting.
According to local Mountain Eagle newspaper reports, Stines entered the judge’s outer office, asked to speak with Mullins privately, and closed the door. Moments later, gunshots were heard from the judge’s chambers.
Following the shooting, Sheriff Stines reportedly emerged from the chambers with his hands up and surrendered to the police. He was handcuffed in the courthouse foyer.
The shocking event has left the local community in disbelief.
“This community is small in nature, and we’re all shook,” said Kentucky State Police spokesman Matt Gayheart, adding that approximately 50 people were in the courthouse when the shooting occurred. Fortunately, no one else was injured, though a nearby school was briefly locked down.
In a statement on social media, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman assured the public that his office would thoroughly investigate the case and ensure justice is served.
The violent act shocked Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B VanMeter. At the same time, Governor Andy Beshear also mourned the loss, stating: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
The incident has drawn widespread attention and calls for swift justice as investigations continue.
