Kentucky sheriff charged in judge's shooting death: What we know

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed in his courthouse chambers on Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged with murder in connection to the shooting, authorities said.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines is accused of shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police, citing the preliminary investigation.

Mullins, who held the judgeship for 15 years, died at the scene. Authorities said Stines surrendered without incident.

Image of District Judge Kevin Mullins. (Kentucky Court of Justice)

Here’s what we know about the shooting:

Letcher County judge shot by sheriff, officials say

The fatal shooting was reported in Whitesburg, Kentucky, described as a tight-knit Appalachian town and county seat of government with about 1,700 residents. 

It’s located about 145 miles southeast of Lexington.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded after a 911 call was placed around 2:55 p.m. local time about shots being fired from inside the courthouse, FOX 56 reported, citing local authorities. 

Mullins, 54, was found with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Kentucky State Police. Stines, 43, was charged with one count of first-degree murder. The investigation is continuing, police said.

It was unclear whether Stines had an attorney. Kentucky State Police referred inquiries about Stines’ legal representation on Thursday to a spokesperson who did not immediately respond by email.

After the shooting, several area schools were briefly placed on lockdown.

Letcher County's judge-executive also signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.

Who was Judge Kevin Mullins?

Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.

Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to the Associated Press, citing a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. 

He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.

Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.

Judge’s shooting prompts response from officials: ‘Shaken by the news’

Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations into the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.

"We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings," Butler said in a statement from his office. "For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office."

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with a commonwealth’s attorney in the region as special prosecutors in the criminal case.

"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman said on social media.

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was "shocked by this act of violence" and that the court system was "shaken by this news."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear responds

Gov. Andy Beshear also posted a response on social media to the shooting. 

"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon," Beshear wrote on Facebook. 

"There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow," he added, signing it at "AB."