Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines allegedly shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the county courthouse on Thursday afternoon, just hours after the two men had lunch together, CNN reports.
Circuit Clerk Mike Watt witnessed Stines and Mullins having lunch together earlier in the day, describing the encounter as an ordinary interaction between colleagues. Hours later, however, the scene turned deadly.
According to Kentucky State Police, the shooting occurred in Judge Mullins’ chambers following a heated argument. A 911 call reported gunshots shortly before 3:00 PM, and officers discovered Judge Mullins with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Stines, 43, was arrested at the courthouse and charged with first-degree murder. As sheriff, Stines was responsible for courthouse security, including the personal safety of judges. He is being held in Leslie County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 25th in Carter County. It remains unclear if he has retained legal representation.
Judge Mullins, 54, served as a district judge for 15 years. His obituary states that he “died in his chambers of the courthouse where he spent his career working to help people.” His funeral is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Jenkins, Kentucky. Flags at all Kentucky Court of Justice facilities will be lowered to half-staff in his memory.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Kentucky State Police are investigating the incident, reviewing courthouse security camera footage and interviewing witnesses.
Letcher County, known for its tight-knit community, is grappling with the tragic loss of Judge Mullins and the shocking actions of Sheriff Stines. Friends and colleagues of both men are struggling to understand why this event took place.
