Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines was charged with first-degree murder on September 19 after the fatal shooting of District Court Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, at the Letcher County courthouse in Kentucky, United States.
Reports from the Louisville Courier-Journal indicate that Stines was arrested following an altercation between him and the judge in the judge’s office.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a clear motive for the shooting. The incident has attracted significant attention, with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear commenting on X (formerly Twitter), expressing sorrow over the judge’s death and highlighting the issue of violence, stating: “Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and k!lled in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Gun violence remains a serious concern in the United States. This incident follows a recent shooting on a Kentucky highway that injured five people. Despite public support for stricter gun control, efforts to implement new regulations face strong political resistance and a deeply rooted gun rights culture.
Further details about the investigation are anticipated as the case develops.
