A judge in a rural Kentucky county was fatally shot in his courthouse chambers Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged with murder in the killing, police said.
The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse, according to Kentucky State Police.
Letcher County's judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.
Mullins, 54, was hit multiple times in the shooting, Kentucky State Police said.
Kentucky State Police referred inquires about Stines' legal representation Thursday to a spokesperson who did not immediately respond by email.
Persons:
Shawn M, Kevin Mullins, Mullins, Stines, Whitesburg, Matt Butler, Judge Mullins, Butler, General Russell Coleman, Coleman, Laurance, VanMeter, Letcher, Andy Beshear, Steve Beshear
Organizations:
Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Supreme, Kentucky, Police, Gov
Locations:
Kentucky, Letcher, Lexington, Letcher County