Sheriff shoots judge dead in Kentucky courtroom

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines was arrested Thursday and is accused of killing 54-year-old Judge Kevin Mullins. The judge was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in the courthouse in Letcher County, about 220 miles (350 kilometers) from Louisville, local police said. Stines, who turned himself in after the shooting, allegedly shot the judge after an argument. No one else was injured.

According to the local newspaper The Mountain Eagle Stines reportedly walked into the courthouse and asked court staff to speak to Mullins alone in his office. After the doors closed, staff heard several shots. The sheriff then came out with his arms in the air. The victim died of his injuries at the scene, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed.

Stines, 43, is also cooperating with the investigation, police officer Matt Gayheart said at a press conference Thursday night. No motive is known yet. Detectives are examining security camera footage from the courthouse and interviewing several witnesses. “We are a small community, and we are all in shock.”

It is still unclear who will take over the duties of the sheriff, who heads the local police. Andy Beshear, the Democratic governor of rural Kentucky, also reacted with shock. “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray that there is a path to a better future,” he posted on Facebook.