Judge in Kentucky shot dead in his office; sheriff arrested

LETCHER COUNTY, Kentucky (WYMT/WKYT) – A judge is dead after a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse.

The Mountain Eagle reports that Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines is accused of shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins in his office.

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines (left) and District Judge Kevin Mullins (right).(WKYT)

The medical examiner confirmed that one person was killed in the shooting but did not identify that person as Mullins. However, Gov. Andy Beshear said he had been informed that a Letcher County judge was shot in his office Thursday afternoon.

Sadly, I was informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his office this afternoon.

There is far too much violence in this world and I pray there is a way to a better future. ^AB

– Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) 19 September 2024

Before being appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009, Mullins served as an assistant district attorney for nine and a half years. As a prosecutor, he focused primarily on drug offenses. As a judge, Mullins gained attention for his efforts to treat drug addicts rather than keep them behind bars. In 2010, he launched a program that allows inmates with substance abuse disorders to enter inpatient treatment as a condition of their pretrial release.

Stines was elected sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

In a social media post, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that his office would work with 27th Judicial District Attorney Jackie Steele as special prosecutor in the case.

This is an evolving story.

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