LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. ( WJHL ) — A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed at the local courthouse on Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged in the shocking slaying, police said.
The governor said the judge was fatally shot in his chambers. The preliminary investigation indicates that the sheriff shot District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, following an argument inside the courthouse, police said.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, police said. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Multiple agencies responded after a 911 call was placed around 2:55 p.m. about shots being fired from inside the building. According to Kentucky State Police, Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
State police said lifesaving measures were attempted but Mullins was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the Letcher County community.