Letcher County sheriff arrested, faces murder charge in deadly courthouse shooting
Posted on 09/20/2024
This story has been updated with new information.
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, officials from the Kentucky State Police said Thursday.
Spokesperson Matt Gayheart said in a news release that KSP Post 13 in Hazard received reports around 2:55 p.m. that shots were fired inside the courthouse. Multiple first-response agencies arrived at the scene and found that District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, of Jackhorn, had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators determined that the shooting transpired after an argument between Stines and Mullins, Gayheart said. Stines was taken into custody shortly after without incident.
KSP continues to lead the ongoing investigation.
The Mountain Eagle, a local newspaper in Whitesburg, reported that Stines walked into the judge's outer office and told court employees that he needed to talk to Mullins alone. The pair entered the inner office, closed the door and shots rang out shortly after, according to The Mountain Eagle's report. Stines walked out of the room with hands up and turned himself over to police.
Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed on social media that a district judge in Letcher County was killed in a shooting.
"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow," Beshear wrote.
Attorney General Russell Coleman said that his office will collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele on the investigation.
"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter said he's "shocked by this act of violence" and that the court system is "shaken by this news" in a statement Thursday.
"My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they try to process and mourn this tragic loss. I ask for respect and privacy on their behalf," VanMeter wrote. "We will continue to monitor this situation. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share further details. We are committed to supporting law enforcement in their efforts and will avoid any actions that could impede their important work. Our priority at this time is the well-being and safety of the Kentucky Court of Justice family."
Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball also posted to social media Thursday, offering condolences to the community.
"I’m praying for Letcher County and District Judge Kevin Mullins who was shot earlier today. May God protect this community and all those involved in the shooting," Ball wrote.
Officials from the Kentucky Court of Justice acknowledged the incident in a statement posted to social media, adding that additional details cannot be shared.
"The Kentucky Court of Justice is aware of a tragic incident that occurred today in Letcher County. We are currently in contact with law enforcement agencies, including Kentucky State Police, and are offering our full support during this difficult time. While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way that we can," the statement said.
"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."
Whitesburg school went on lockdown after shooting
Letcher County Central High School in Whitesburg went into a lockdown in response to the incident and has since released students to go home, school officials said on social media.
"After a call from Kentucky State Police, we were ordered to go into a mandatory lockdown because of an active shooting in downtown. Your children are safe. The shooter has been apprehended," a social media post from the school reads in part.
Where is Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg is a city in Letcher County and the county seat, which sits in southeast Kentucky. The county population is 21,548, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
From the Archives:Suit alleges Kentucky deputy forced woman to have sex in judge's chamber in lieu of fees
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg, officials from the Kentucky State Police said Thursday.
Spokesperson Matt Gayheart said in a news release that KSP Post 13 in Hazard received reports around 2:55 p.m. that shots were fired inside the courthouse. Multiple first-response agencies arrived at the scene and found that District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, of Jackhorn, had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators determined that the shooting transpired after an argument between Stines and Mullins, Gayheart said. Stines was taken into custody shortly after without incident.
KSP continues to lead the ongoing investigation.
The Mountain Eagle, a local newspaper in Whitesburg, reported that Stines walked into the judge's outer office and told court employees that he needed to talk to Mullins alone. The pair entered the inner office, closed the door and shots rang out shortly after, according to The Mountain Eagle's report. Stines walked out of the room with hands up and turned himself over to police.
Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed on social media that a district judge in Letcher County was killed in a shooting.
"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow," Beshear wrote.
Attorney General Russell Coleman said that his office will collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele on the investigation.
"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter said he's "shocked by this act of violence" and that the court system is "shaken by this news" in a statement Thursday.
"My prayers are with his family and the Letcher County community as they try to process and mourn this tragic loss. I ask for respect and privacy on their behalf," VanMeter wrote. "We will continue to monitor this situation. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share further details. We are committed to supporting law enforcement in their efforts and will avoid any actions that could impede their important work. Our priority at this time is the well-being and safety of the Kentucky Court of Justice family."
Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball also posted to social media Thursday, offering condolences to the community.
"I’m praying for Letcher County and District Judge Kevin Mullins who was shot earlier today. May God protect this community and all those involved in the shooting," Ball wrote.
Officials from the Kentucky Court of Justice acknowledged the incident in a statement posted to social media, adding that additional details cannot be shared.
"The Kentucky Court of Justice is aware of a tragic incident that occurred today in Letcher County. We are currently in contact with law enforcement agencies, including Kentucky State Police, and are offering our full support during this difficult time. While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to providing assistance in any way that we can," the statement said.
"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."
Whitesburg school went on lockdown after shooting
Letcher County Central High School in Whitesburg went into a lockdown in response to the incident and has since released students to go home, school officials said on social media.
"After a call from Kentucky State Police, we were ordered to go into a mandatory lockdown because of an active shooting in downtown. Your children are safe. The shooter has been apprehended," a social media post from the school reads in part.
Where is Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg is a city in Letcher County and the county seat, which sits in southeast Kentucky. The county population is 21,548, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
From the Archives:Suit alleges Kentucky deputy forced woman to have sex in judge's chamber in lieu of fees
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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