Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines (left) and District Judge Kevin Mullins (right).(WKYT)
A Kentucky sheriff has been charged with the murder of a district court judge after a fatal shooting took place on Thursday afternoon at the Letcher County Courthouse. According to Kentucky State Police, the incident occurred around 2:55 PM, when authorities received a 9-1-1 call reporting gunfire inside the courthouse.
When law enforcement and emergency medical services arrived at the scene, they found District Judge Kevin Mullins, aged 54, with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving attempts, Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.
Initial investigations revealed that the gunfire followed an argument inside the courthouse between Mullins and Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines, 43 years old. Sheriff Stines was taken into custody at the scene without resistance and has been charged with first-degree murder. The investigation is still ongoing as law enforcement officials continue to gather evidence.
Kevin Mullins had a long and respected career in law. Before being appointed as a judge by Governor Steve Beshear in 2009, Mullins served as an assistant commonwealth attorney for more than nine years. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he focused mainly on drug-related offenses. As a judge, Mullins became well-known for his compassionate approach toward individuals suffering from substance use disorders. In 2010, he established a program that allowed individuals with drug addictions to enter inpatient treatment as a condition of their pretrial release. This initiative earned him respect for prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration.
Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines was elected as the sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. The motive behind the argument that led to the tragic shooting has not yet been confirmed, but the incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about public safety in the area.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman took to social media to announce that his office will collaborate with Jackie Steele, the commonwealth’s attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, to serve as special prosecutors in the case. The presence of both state and local officials in the investigation highlights the gravity of the situation, and it is expected that more information will emerge as the case progresses.
The shooting has left many in Letcher County reeling, as both Mullins and Stines were prominent figures in the local government and legal system. Mullins was widely regarded as a judge who cared deeply about his community, particularly when it came to addressing the ongoing drug crisis in the region. His efforts to offer rehabilitation to drug offenders were seen as forward-thinking, and his death has left a significant void in the local justice system.
Sheriff Stines, meanwhile, had earned the trust of his community through his work as the county’s top law enforcement officer. His involvement in the killing of Judge Mullins has shocked and disturbed many who had placed their confidence in his leadership.
As the investigation continues, more questions are likely to arise regarding what exactly transpired between the two men and what led to the tragic escalation. The courthouse, which was the scene of the shooting, has been closed for Friday. Letcher County Judge-Executive Terry Adams signed an executive order to close the building, stating that the community needs time to process the event and mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant.
The murder of Judge Kevin Mullins and the arrest of Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the justice system in Letcher County. As the community grapples with the loss, officials are urging patience and promising a thorough investigation to uncover the full truth behind the tragic incident.
For now, the courthouse remains a somber reminder of the fragility of life, even for those tasked with upholding the law. Â
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