Kentucky judge fatally shot, county sheriff charged with murder

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Kentucky judge was fatally shot in his courthouse chambers on Thursday, according to authorities, who said a county sheriff has been arrested and charged with murder.

District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times inside the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, in southeastern Kentucky, shortly before 3 p.m. EDT Thursday.

Kentucky State Police responded to calls of shots fired within the building and found the wounded judge. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene by the Letcher County Coroner's Office, Kentucky State Police said in a statement .

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, of McRoberts, Ky., was arrested at the courthouse and charged with one count of murder.

According to authorities, a preliminary investigation shows that the shooting followed an unspecified argument between Mullins and Stines.

"The investigation remains ongoing and is being investigated by KSP Post 13 Detective Clayton Stamper," Kentucky State Police said.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will work with local officials to "fully investigate and pursue justice" in the case.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement on Facebook that he had been informed of the shooting.

"There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow," he said.