A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed in his courthouse chambers Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged with murder in the slaying, police said.
According to Kentucky State Police, preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse. Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident.
The fatal shooting in Whitesburg sent shock waves through a tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents located about 145 miles (235 kilometers) southeast of Lexington.
Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations in the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.
A spokesman for police told the outlet the shooting occurred after an argument between Stines and judge Kevin Mullins, 54, in the latter’s office.
Investigators have not yet announced 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 chambers this afternoon,” Beshear said.
“There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Gun violence is common in the United States, a country where there are more firearms than people.
Earlier this month, a man shot and injured five people on a Kentucky highway. The gunman’s body was found Wednesday after a 10-day manhunt.
Despite polls showing Americans favour more gun restrictions, a powerful gun rights lobby, constitutional protections and a passionate culture around firearm ownership mean that attempts to clamp down on gun rights are always met with stiff political resistance.
