A Kentucky sheriff shot and killed a district judge in a courtroom Thursday afternoon after an altercation. The New York Times reported.Citing a police statement.
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines, 43, turned himself in after shooting and killing Judge Kevin Mullins and has been charged with first-degree murder, the newspaper reported, citing a Thursday evening press conference. Officer Matt Gayheart of the Kentucky State Police.
“This community is small to begin with, so we're all in shock.”
Gayheart attention State police received a 911 call just before 3 p.m. from the Letcher County Courthouse reporting shots fired inside the building. The courthouse is in Whiteburg, a city of about 2,000 people about 3 1/2 hours southeast of Louisville.
Authorities responded to the scene and found Mullins, 54, dead. Mullins suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Gayheart said, adding that life-saving measures were unsuccessful and the county coroner's office pronounced Mullins dead at the scene.
Gayheart said a preliminary investigation determined Stines shot and killed Mullins after an altercation inside the courthouse, adding that Stines was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Gayheart told The Times that deputies were taken to the local jail and were cooperative with the investigation.
“This is a small community to begin with so we're all shocked,” Gayheart added to the paper.
Police are still trying to determine what caused the altercation, and investigators are interviewing witnesses who were in the building at the time of the shooting, according to the Times. Gayheart said it was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public.
Democratic Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear said He said on social media on Thursday that he was informed of the deadly shooting, adding: “There is too much violence in this world. I pray there is a way to a better tomorrow.”
State Attorney General Russell Coleman statement In a social media post, his office said he would be “working with U.S. Attorney Jackie Steele of the 27th Judicial District as special prosecutor on this case. We will investigate thoroughly and pursue justice.”
Mullins is 47th Judicial DistrictThe Times BallotpediaCounty residents first elected Mullins in 2010, and he recently Appointed to the State Judicial Commission About mental health.
According to the paper, Stein Elected sheriff in 2018 and Re-elected in 2022.
Below is a video of the media briefing regarding the Gayheart shooting.
– YouTubeYouTube
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