A sheriff in Kentucky is charged with murder in the shooting of a judge at a courthouse
Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was fatally shot on Thursday afternoon at the courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, as reported by the Kentucky State Police.
This article has been updated to reflect new details.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Authorities have arrested a sheriff from southeastern Kentucky, charging him with murder after a district judge was shot and killed in his office on Thursday.
Judge Kevin Mullins, aged 54, was shot at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, according to spokesperson Matt Gayheart from the Kentucky State Police. They arrested Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines at the location and charged him with first-degree murder.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call received around 2:55 p.m. ET, reporting gunfire from inside the courthouse. Upon arrival, they found Mullins suffering from “multiple gunshot wounds,” as noted by Gayheart.
“Efforts to save his life were attempted but were not successful,” Gayheart stated. “Mullins was declared dead at the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.”
An initial investigation indicated that Stines, aged 43, shot Mullins following a confrontation inside the courthouse, Gayheart stated. Stines was taken into custody shortly after without any issues.
The inquiry into the shooting is still ongoing. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear first confirmed the incident on social media, noting that a district judge had been shot in his office.
“It is with sadness that I report a district judge in Letcher County has been shot and killed in his office this afternoon,” Beshear posted on X, previously known as Twitter, on Thursday. “There is too much violence in our world, and I hope for a brighter future.”
Ongoing Investigation After the Tragic Shooting
The shooting took place at Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, which lies approximately 146 miles southeast of Lexington. Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball shared a message on social media, expressing condolences and confirming Mullins as the shooting’s victim.
“I’m praying for Letcher County and for District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was shot today. May God watch over this community and everyone affected by this shooting,” Ball said.
Following the event, state Attorney General Russell Coleman announced his office would work with Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele from the 27th Judicial Circuit on the investigation.
Officials from the Kentucky Court of Justice acknowledged the tragic event in a social media statement, confirming they are collaborating with state police.
“The Kentucky Court of Justice is aware of the horrible incident that happened today in Letcher County. We are in contact with law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, and are committed to providing our full support during this challenging time. While the investigation continues, we will assist in any way we can,” the statement read.
Community Reaction: ‘We Grew Together with Judge Mullins’
Mullins served as the district judge for the 47th Judicial District, overseeing Letcher County, and was appointed in 2009 by former Governor Steve Beshear, according to an archived article from The Mountain Eagle. He was elected to the position the following year, according to election records.
He earned his degree from the University of Kentucky and attended the University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law for postgraduate studies. Before becoming a judge, Mullins worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Letcher County beginning in 2001.
Mullins was an advocate for initiatives aimed at steering individuals with substance use disorders toward treatment rather than incarceration. He promoted a Letcher County program that allowed individuals facing behavioral health challenges to have their charges dropped upon successfully completing a treatment program, as previously reported by The Mountain Eagle.
Mark O’Brien, a site supervisor at the Letcher County branch of The Hub, an addiction recovery and harm reduction service provider, shared his appreciation, saying Mullins supported him throughout his recovery. Mullins encouraged the expansion of The Hub into Letcher County to provide more nearby resources for justice-involved individuals.
“Our entire community worked with Judge Mullins to improve accessibility for recovery,” O’Brien remarked. “He acknowledged that our community faced challenges, and he brought people together to address them openly and constructively.”
In a statement released on Thursday, Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter expressed disbelief over the violent act and stated that the court system is “deeply affected” by the loss.
“My thoughts are with his family and the Letcher County community as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy,” VanMeter wrote. “We are dedicated to assisting law enforcement and will avoid any actions that could hinder their vital efforts. The safety and well-being of the Kentucky Court of Justice family is our main priority during this time.”
Local Schools Initiated Lockdown Procedures After Shooting
Letcher County Central High School in Whitesburg was placed on lockdown following the incident but has since allowed students to return home, school officials reported on social media.
“We were instructed to implement a mandatory lockdown after a notification from Kentucky State Police regarding an active shooter situation downtown. Your children are safe, and the shooter has been apprehended,” the school shared.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College also went into lockdown, indicating there was a “threat at the courthouse nearby” and has canceled campus events.
Contributing:
Charles Ventura, YSL News