A Tragic Incident in Kentucky: Investigating the Fatal Shooting of Judge Kevin Mullins by Sheriff Shawn Stines

In a tragic event that has left a small Kentucky community in shock, investigators are working to understand why a longstanding relationship between a district judge and a sheriff ended in fatal violence. According to the Kentucky State Police, District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was allegedly shot and killed by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, following a heated argument in the judge’s chambers.

Discovery of the Crime

The horrific incident took place around 3 p.m. on Thursday, inside the Letcher County Courthouse located in the small town of Whitesburg. Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart reported during a press conference that Judge Mullins was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. What makes the case even more shocking is the fact that Sheriff Stines, who was responsible for providing personal security to Judge Mullins as part of his duties, allegedly turned the gun on the very person he was tasked with protecting.

The Arrest of Sheriff Stines

Immediately after the shooting, Sheriff Stines turned himself in without resistance. He was arrested on the spot and has been charged with first-degree murder. At this stage, investigators are still piecing together the exact nature of the argument that preceded the deadly encounter. Although cameras were installed in the courthouse, further witness testimonies are expected to help clarify the events leading up to the tragedy.

Impact on the Community

“This is a small, tight-knit community, and we’re all devastated,” Trooper Gayheart stated, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt throughout Letcher County. For this rural area, which had already been shaken by recent violence—including a shooting on an interstate that left five people injured and the death of a deputy in nearby Russell County—the news of Judge Mullins’ murder has only deepened the region’s grief.

Local schools and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College were placed on lockdown immediately following the incident. However, officials later confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took to social media to express his sorrow over the increasing violence. “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow,” Beshear said, mourning the loss of a respected public servant.

A Complex History: Mullins and Stines

Both Judge Mullins and Sheriff Stines were highly respected figures in Letcher County, with long records of service. Mullins, who was appointed district judge in 2009 by former Governor Steve Beshear, had been re-elected multiple times. He was known for his commitment to justice and his passion for reform, particularly in drug-related cases. Over the years, Mullins helped hundreds of people access substance abuse treatment programs and played a key role in developing initiatives to support addiction recovery.

Stines, on the other hand, had served as sheriff for nearly eight years and was well-regarded for his role in keeping Letcher County safe. In a Facebook post earlier this month, he expressed pride in the department’s efforts to reduce drug activity in the area, thanking the citizens of Letcher County for their support. Stines’ arrest has left many in the community, including law enforcement, grappling with how such a tragedy could occur.

Jerry Wagner, a retired sheriff and current executive director of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association, expressed disbelief. “We work closely with judges—probably more so than any other elected officials. No one saw this coming,” Wagner said.

Unanswered Questions and Legal Proceedings

As of now, there are still many unanswered questions. The precise motive behind the argument that led to the fatal shooting remains unclear. Authorities have labeled the incident as “isolated,” suggesting no broader threats to public safety, but the community is left wondering what could have sparked such extreme violence.

Stines is expected to make his first court appearance on September 25, before a judge in Carter County, about 100 miles from the crime scene. He will appear remotely from Leslie County, where he is currently being held. It remains uncertain whether he will be transferred to another facility before the hearing.

Previous Legal Troubles

Adding another layer to the case is the fact that Stines had been deposed earlier in the week in connection with an ongoing federal lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by two women in 2022, involves a former deputy who allegedly coerced a woman into having sex with him in the very chambers where Judge Mullins was later killed. The lawsuit accuses Sheriff Stines of failing to properly investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against the deputy, Ben Fields, who was fired after the lawsuit was filed.

Though there is no indication that this lawsuit is directly related to the shooting, the timing of the deposition raises questions about whether these legal troubles may have played a role in the tensions between Stines and Mullins.

A Community in Mourning

In the aftermath of the shooting, Letcher County is struggling to come to terms with the loss of two key figures in the community—one dead, the other imprisoned. Matt Butler, the local Commonwealth’s Attorney, was personally close to both men and described them as “like brothers.” He also revealed that Judge Mullins was married to his wife’s sister, underscoring just how intertwined the lives of these public officials were.

“My children have cried and cried, begging to see their uncle,” Butler said, reflecting on the personal grief that has rippled through the community. He asked for prayers for Mullins’ family, particularly his nieces and nephews, who are struggling to comprehend the loss.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation continues, a retired judge will temporarily oversee the district court cases that Mullins would have presided over, while the process to appoint a permanent replacement gets underway. However, it will take much longer for the Letcher County community to heal from this deeply shocking incident.

Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter of the Kentucky Supreme Court released a statement expressing his condolences. “We are all shaken,” he said. “Our prayers are with the family and the community.”

The fatal shooting of Judge Kevin Mullins has left a deep wound in this close-knit Kentucky community, and while legal proceedings will answer some questions, the emotional scars may last far longer.