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A judge in Kentucky was shot dead while sitting in his office on Thursday, and a local sheriff has been arrested for the crime.
According to multiple reports, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins has died following a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse Thursday afternoon.
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has reportedly been arrested in connection to the shooting after he surrendered himself to police.
In a Facebook post, The Mountain Eagle shared the following details on the shocking incident:
SHERIFF ARRESTED IN SHOOTING OF DISTRICT JUDGE
Kentucky State Police and Letcher County Coroner Perry Fowler were still at the Letcher County Courthouse at 5 p.m. today investigating the shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin D. Mullins, apparently by the Letcher County Sheriff.
Officials say Sheriff Mickey Stines was arrested after surrendering himself to police. The shooting occurred in the judge’s chambers about 3 p.m. this afternoon (September 19).
Police had Main Street in Whitesburg cordoned off and were shooing citizens off the streets around it.
Stines allegedly walked into the judge’s outer office, told court employees and others gathered there that he needed to speak with Mullins alone. The two then went into the inner office, closed the door and those outside heard shots. Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered to police.
Court employees were on the sidewalk outside the courthouse in shock following the shooting. Stines was handcuffed in the foyer of the courthouse. Officials expected the investigation to continue for several more hours.
We will have more information as it comes available.
Below is an excerpt from WKYT.com:
Before being appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009, Mullins was an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine and a half years. As a prosecutor, he primarily focused on drug-related offenses. As a judge, Mullins gained attention for his efforts to treat those with drug addictions rather than keeping them behind bars. In 2010, he started a program allowing inmates with substance use disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of their pretrial release.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear released the following statement on social media Thursday afternoon: “Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon.
There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) September 19, 2024
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced, “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.”
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.
— Attorney General Russell Coleman (@kyoag) September 19, 2024
Here’s an interview earlier this year with Sheriff Mickey Stines, who has allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/rVtT4GsX26
— Intel Point Alert (@IntelPointAlert) September 19, 2024
Judge killed, sheriff arrested in courthouse shootinghttps://t.co/0WnugEQ8iu
— WYMT (@WYMT) September 19, 2024
Breaking News Update. https://t.co/WG40VDEezi
— WKYT (@WKYT) September 19, 2024
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