Kentucky State Police have arrested a police chief in Letcher County on Thursday, September 19, after he allegedly shot and killed a district court judge following a dispute in the courtroom.
The police statement revealed that 43-year-old Mickey Stines engaged in a dispute with 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the Letcher County courthouse, and proceeded to fire multiple shots at Mullins.
Mullins, who had served as a judge for 15 years, was pronounced dead on the scene. Stines surrendered to the authorities without resistance. The police have not disclosed the motive behind the shooting. Stines has been charged with first-degree murder.
According to Kentucky media outlet The Mountain Eagle, the incident occurred around 3 p.m. local time when Stines entered the judge’s office, informing court staff that he needed to speak with Mullins privately.
Subsequently, the two entered the inner office and closed the door, after which gunshots were heard. Stines then emerged with his hands up and surrendered to the police.
Stines was handcuffed in the courthouse hallway. Officials anticipate that the investigation will continue for several hours.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “Unfortunately, I was informed this afternoon of the shooting death of a district judge in his office in Letcher County.”
“There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray for a path that leads to a better tomorrow,” he said.
The shooting took place in Whitesburg, a city in Letcher County near the border with Virginia. Following the shooting, the local community and several schools in the area were briefly placed on lockdown.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman wrote on social media that his office will collaborate with special prosecutor Jackie Steele to handle the case, stating, “We will investigate fully and seek justice.”