(Reuters) – A rural Kentucky sheriff was apprehended on Thursday, accused of fatally shooting a district court judge following a dispute within the courthouse, according to officials.
Letcher County Sheriff, Mickey Stines, aged 43, was detained without any complications at the Letcher County Courthouse, where District Judge Kevin Mullins, aged 54, was fatally shot, as reported by the Kentucky State Police.
The authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting. Stines has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear commented on X, expressing his concerns over the incident, stating, “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced on social media that his office would coordinate with special prosecutors on the case, pledging to “fully investigate and pursue justice.”
The Kentucky Court of Justice acknowledged the tragic event on its social media platforms, indicating its comprehensive support to state police in their ongoing investigation.
The incident occurred in Whitesburg, the county seat of Letcher County, located approximately 220 miles (350 km) southeast of Louisville and near the Virginia border.
According to a report by The Mountain Eagle, Stines entered the judge’s outer office, informed court staff that he needed a private conversation with Mullins, and the two proceeded to the inner office. Following the closing of the office door, gunshots were heard. Stines then exited with his hands raised and surrendered to the authorities, The Mountain Eagle detailed.