LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. — A day after District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot and killed by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, Whitesburg is trying to come to terms with what happened. 

Chief Justice of the Commonwealth, Lawrence VanMeter, ordered flags at all Kentucky Court of Justice facilities be lowered to half-staff through Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, after "the devastating loss of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins."

Lead county prosecutor Matt Butler described an outpouring of sympathy as he recused himself and his office from investigations in the shooting, citing social and family ties to Mullins.

“We all know each other here. ... Anyone from Letcher County would tell you that Judge Mullins and I married sisters and that we have children who are first cousins but act like siblings,” Butler said in a statement from his office. “For that reason, among others, I have already taken steps to recuse myself and my entire office.”

Letcher County's judge-executive signed an order closing on Friday the county courthouse where the shooting took place.

Kentucky State Police confirmed Stines, 43, shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins at the Letcher County Courthouse Thursday afternoon in Whitesburg.

KSP said just before 3 p.m., Post 13, Hazard, received a 911 call “in reference to shots being fired from inside the building.” First responders found Mullins with multiple gunshot wounds, and the Letcher County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead on the scene. 

Stines was taken into custody after the incident, KSP said, and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder. KSP added the investigation remains ongoing. Newspaper the Mountain Eagle reports he surrendered to police after the shooting.

According to the Mountain Eagle, Stines allegedly walked in to the judge’s office and told employees he needed to speak with Mullins alone. The two men went into an office, closed the door and, according to the newspaper, shots were fired and Stines walked out with his hands up and surrendered.

Mullins, 54, was hit multiple times in the shooting, KSP said. Stines, 43, was charged with one count of first-degree murder. The investigation is continuing, police said.

It was unclear whether Stines had an attorney. Kentucky State Police referred inquires about Stines’ legal representation Thursday to a spokesperson who did not immediately respond by email.

Courthouse employees were out on the sidewalk after the incident. The courthouse is across the street from The Mountain Eagle newspaper.

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., acknowledged the shooting on X. He said, “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

A statement from the Kentucky Court of Justice in Frankfort said, “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 we can.” The statement continued, “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.”

Attorney General Russell Coleman, R-Ky., said on X, his office would “fully investigate and pursue justice.”

Mullins served as a district judge in Letcher County since he was appointed by former Gov. Steve Beshear in 2009 and elected the following year.

Mullins was known for promoting substance abuse treatment for people involved in the justice system and helped hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment, according to a program for a drug summit he spoke at in 2022. He also helped develop a program called Addiction Recovery Care to offer peer support services in the courthouse. The program was adopted in at least 50 counties in Kentucky.

Mullins also served as a founding member of the Responsive Effort to Support Treatment in Opioid Recovery Efforts Leadership Team.

Stines, of McRoberts, was elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The Mountain Eagle reported in 2019 that Stines worked briefly as a Neon police officer and for the Letcher County sheriff and then worked for six years as a court bailiff in Letcher County until becoming sheriff.

Whitesburg, Kentucky is in far eastern Kentucky, approximately two and half hours from Lexington and almost four hours from Louisville. The Appalachian town has roughly 1,700 residents.