Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins, who was killed in his office Thursday, police said.
Mullins, who was Letcher County presiding judge, was shot and killed at the Letcher County Courthouse, Kentucky State Police said.
Stines was arrested and charged with murder in the judge’s death, state police said.
A 911 caller reported shots fired inside the courthouse shortly before 3 p.m. ET, state police said.
Officers and emergency personnel found Mullins, 54, with multiple gunshot wounds, state police said. He had been shot in his apartment, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
At a news conference Thursday night, authorities said life-saving measures were taken, but Mullins died at the scene.
Judge Kevin Mullins
Letcher County Government
Stines, 43, allegedly shot Mullins “following an argument inside the courthouse,” Kentucky State Police said in a statement. At the news conference, authorities said they had not determined whether Stines used his “service” weapon.
He was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with first-degree murder.
He was taken to a detention center, authorities said Thursday night. Stines is cooperating with authorities as they investigate, authorities also said. It is unclear whether Stines has an attorney at this time.
No additional injuries were reported in the incident, Kentucky State Trooper Matt Gayheart told ABC affiliate WJHL in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The motive for the crime remains under investigation, he told the station.
“This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public at this time,” Gayheart told WJHL.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will work with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in the case.
“We will fully investigate and seek justice,” he said in a statement.
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines
Letcher County
The Kentucky District Court said in a statement Thursday that it was in contact with law enforcement, including the Kentucky State Police, and was “offering our full support during this difficult time.”
“As the investigation continues, we are committed to assisting in any way we can,” the statement continued. “Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this difficult time.”
According to an order from Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams, the courthouse will be closed Friday.
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said in a statement that he was “shocked by this act of violence,” adding that “the justice system is shaken by this news.”
“My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they work through and grieve this tragic loss. I ask for respect and privacy on their behalf,” he said.
Mullins had served as a judge in Kentucky’s 47th District Court, which covers Letcher County, since 2009, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear.
He graduated from the University of Kentucky and received his law degree from the University of Louisville.
ABC News’ Victoria Arancio, Jack Date, Darren Reynolds and Leah Sarnoff contributed to this report.
