A judge is dead after a shooting at a courthouse in southeast Kentucky, and officials say the county sheriff fired the shots.The shooting was reported just before 3 p.m. at the Letcher County Courthouse. Kentucky State Police said 911 callers heard shots fired in the building.Watch the update from KSP below:When they arrived, KSP said they found District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, of Jackhorn, with multiple gunshot wounds, and he died in the chambers.The preliminary investigation indicates that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, 43, of McRoberts, shot Mullins during an argument. KSP did not elaborate on what led to that dispute, and said they are still investigating.Stines was taken into custody at the scene without incident and was charged with one count of murder first degree. He's being held in neighboring Leslie County Detention Center. Mullins was appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009. Stines was elected as sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and reelected in 2022.Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with the commonwealth's attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, Jackie Steele, as special prosecutors in this case.The Kentucky Court of Justice released a statement that said, in part: "Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time." Letcher County is about 4 hours away from Louisville on the border of Virginia.

A judge is dead after a shooting at a courthouse in southeast Kentucky, and officials say the county sheriff fired the shots.

The shooting was reported just before 3 p.m. at the Letcher County Courthouse. Kentucky State Police said 911 callers heard shots fired in the building.

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Watch the update from KSP below:

When they arrived, KSP said they found District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, of Jackhorn, with multiple gunshot wounds, and he died in the chambers.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines, 43, of McRoberts, shot Mullins during an argument.

Leslie County Detention Center

KSP did not elaborate on what led to that dispute, and said they are still investigating.

Stines was taken into custody at the scene without incident and was charged with one count of murder first degree.

He's being held in neighboring Leslie County Detention Center.

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Mullins was appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009. Stines was elected as sheriff of Letcher County in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said his office will collaborate with the commonwealth's attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, Jackie Steele, as special prosecutors in this case.

The Kentucky Court of Justice released a statement that said, in part:

"Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community during this challenging time."

Letcher County is about 4 hours away from Louisville on the border of Virginia.