A Kentucky choose was shot and killed in his chambers on Thursday, Sept. 19, and a sheriff has been charged with homicide.
State Auditor of Public Accounts of the Commonwealth, Allison Ball, recognized the deceased as District Decide Kevin Mullins in a post on X.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart stated throughout a press conference Thursday night time that officers obtained a name about photographs being fired contained in the Letcher County courthouse shortly earlier than 3:00 p.m.
“A number of regulation enforcement companies from across the space, together with emergency companies, responded to the realm and positioned District Decide Kevin Mullins with a number of gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures have been taken; nonetheless, have been unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased on scene by Letcher County Coroner’s Workplace,” he stated.
In line with Gayheart, a preliminary investigation confirmed that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, allegedly fired at Mullins, 54, “following an argument contained in the courthouse.”
Whereas Gayheart stated that officers haven’t realized of a motive and the investigation stays ongoing, he confirmed that Stines was “arrested on scene with out incident shortly after officers arrive.”
“Sheriff Stines was positioned underneath arrest and transported to a correctional facility. He was charged with one rely of homicide within the first diploma,” added Gayheart.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Gayheart additionally confirmed the information in a press release.
In line with a Letcher County website, Mullins presided over the forty seventh District Judicial District, which oversees “ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, site visitors offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony possible trigger hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or much less, civil circumstances involving $5,000 or much less, voluntary and involuntary psychological commitments and circumstances regarding home violence and abuse.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear additionally reacted to the capturing, writing on X, ” Sadly, I’ve been knowledgeable {that a} district choose in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There’s far an excessive amount of violence on this world, and I pray there’s a path to a greater tomorrow.”
Kentucky Supreme Court docket Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter wrote in a Facebook statement that he was “shocked by this act of violence, and the court docket system is shaken by this information.”
“Following the lethal capturing in Letcher County, our Workplace will collaborate with Commonwealth’s Legal professional for the twenty seventh Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as particular prosecutors on this case. We’ll absolutely examine and pursue justice,” Kentucky Legal professional Common Russell Coleman wrote on X.
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