Judge shot, killed in his chambers; sheriff charged with murder

LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/WYMT/Gray News) - A Kentucky judge is dead after a shooting at the Letcher County courthouse.

Kentucky State Police say Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, fatally shot District Judge Kevin Mullins in his office following an argument inside the courthouse.

“We located District Judge Kevin Mullins with several gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were taken, however, were unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased on scene,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart said.

Stines was taken into custody and has been charged with first-degree murder.

The motive behind the shooting is unknown.

“So, that’s the question that we’re still trying to get the answers to,” Gayheart added. “What led up to the actual shooting itself and the moments prior?”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X that he has been informed that the judge was shot and killed in his chambers on Thursday afternoon.

“There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” Beshear said.

Before being appointed by 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.

Stines was elected as the sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

In a social media post, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that his office will collaborate with the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, Jackie Steele, as special prosecutors in this case.

Letcher County Judge-Executive Terry Adams announced in a social media post that he signed an executive order to close the courthouse for Friday.

Police have said the situation is contained and there is no threat to the public.