A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested for allegedly shooting dead a judge inside his chambers on Thursday.
Lechter County Sheriff Mickey Stines surrendered himself to police following the shooting death of District Court Judge Kevin Mullins at the County Courthouse at around 3pm, The Mountain Eagle reports.
The sheriff allegedly walked into the judges outer office, told court employees and others gathered there he needed to speak to Mullins alone.
He and Mullins then entered the judges inner office, closed the door and those outside heard gunshots, according to The Mountain Eagle.
The coroner has since confirmed that one person was killed in a shooting at the courthouse, but did not identify the victim, according to WKYT.
District Court Judge Kevin Mullins was shot dead in his chambers on Thursday
Lechter County Sheriff Mickey Stines reportedly surrendered himself to police following the shooting
However, Gov. Andy Beshear later posted on X that he has been informed that a district judge was killed in his chambers.
There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow, he wrote.
Mullins was appointed to serve as a district judge under former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009.
He was previously an assistant commonwealth attorney for nine and a half years, focusing on drug-related offenses.
As a judge, Mullins gained recognition for his efforts to treat those with drug addiction rather than incarcerate them, starting a program in 2010 that allowed inmates with substance abuse disorders to enroll in inpatient treatment as a condition of pretrial release.
A motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced on social media his office will work with the commonwealths attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit as special prosecutors in the case.