KSP: Sheriff fatally shot judge in Letcher County, Ky.

WHITESBURG, Ky. (WJHL) — A county sheriff shot and killed a judge in the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP).

State police said Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, fatally shot District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, after an argument Thursday afternoon inside the courthouse.

Multiple agencies responded after a 911 call was placed around 2:55 p.m. about shots being fired from inside the building. According to KSP, Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

State police said lifesaving measures were attempted but Mullins was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Stines was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of first-degree murder.

KSP Trooper Matt Gayheart said the shooting happened inside the judge’s chambers.

Gayheart described the shooting as an isolated incident that did not pose a threat to the public.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the Letcher County community.

“Any time a situation like this takes place, especially in a small town, it shakes the very foundation of what the town is and this is no different,” Gayheart said. “We’re just hoping that it’s a bad situation and we can resolve it as quickly as possible and start that process forward.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement on the shooting over social media saying in part that there is “far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman also issued a statement on X , saying that his office will work with Commonwealth Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in the case.

Letcher County Public Schools posted to social media shortly before 3:30 p.m. stating Letcher County Central High School went into a mandatory lockdown due to an active shooting in the downtown area.

The school system stated that KSP ordered the lockdown.

“Your children are safe,” the school’s social media post reads. “The shooter has been apprehended, but KSP has not released us to come out of lockdown. Your children were never in a concerning situation.”

The Kentucky Court of Justice provided its own statement on social media , stating it was in contact with KSP and other authorities and is “offering our full support during this difficult time.”

The Letcher County Courthouse is closed until further notice .

This is a developing story. News Channel 11 has a crew in Whitesburg and has reached out to authorities for more information.

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