LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- 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 KSP, Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the Letcher County Courthouse.
Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died on the scene, and Stines surrendered without incident.
This undated photo provided by Kentucky Court of Justice shows slain District Judge Kevin Mullins. (Kentucky Court of Justice via AP)
He was charged with murder and the investigation remains ongoing.
"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon," Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post. "There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow."
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.
“We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings," Butler said in statement from his office. “For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office.”
Kentucky's Administrative Office of the Courts called it a "tragic incident."
Attorney General Russell Coleman posted a statement on social media. "Following the deadly shooting in Letcher County, our Office will collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in this case. We will fully investigate and pursue justice."
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was “shocked by this act of violence” and that the court system was “shaken by this news.”
Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.
Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.
Letcher County's judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.
