Shock waves continue across Letcher County following the stunning shooting death at the Courthouse Thursday of District Judge Kevin Mullins allegedly at the hands of Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart says investigators are still working to understand the moments before an argument inside the courthouse around 3pm that led to shots being fired.
KSP says lifesaving measures were attempted but Mullins was pronounced dead on scene by the LetchervCounty Coroner.
Sheriff Stines was taken into custody at the scene without incident and has been charged with one count of Murder 1st Degree.
Immediately following the shooting at 3pm, Letcher County schools were placed into a
lockdown.
But KSP says once troopers arrived on scene and understood what had happened they released the lockdowns.
Letcher County Judge-Executive Terry Adams has closed the Letcher County Courthouse today and the billing office is closed but officials say Letcher County Sanitation is operating on their regular schedule.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman released a statement on X saying his office will collaborate with Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in this case and plan to “fully investigate and pursue justice.”