LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Longtime workers in Kentucky's judicial system are still processing the disturbing display of violence that played out inside a courthouse in the eastern region of the state.
Authorities say Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins in his own chambers on Thursday afternoon after an argument.
"We could use everybody's prayers. Send prayers to the family that they get through this difficult time," a Kentucky State Police trooper said on scene.
Matt Butler, the state prosecutor for the area, shared a video message on Facebook detailing his personal connection to the judge who was killed, saying it's why he's recused himself from the case.
"His daughters are my nieces, and my two oldest kids are his niece and nephew," Butler said.
The tragic news came as a shock to so many across the state, including attorneys and former judges in Louisville who were quick to denounce any kind of violence inside the courthouse.
Retired district court Judge Janice Martin said she's "very saddened and horrified about the event."
"Not only does this affect judges, it affects the court system as a whole," she said. "It affects us all when you see violence like this because you don't anticipate someone getting shot outside a courthouse, [let alone] someone as a judge getting shot in their chambers -- much less by a law enforcement officer. So, it's very disturbing."
Martin acknowledged the rural community of just over 20,000 people is likely experiencing serious trauma as investigators try to confirm a motive.
Louisville attorney and former prosecutor Karl Price said he was shocked and had to take a deep breath when he heard the news.
"Generally, the deputies who carry the firearms in the courtroom are like family to the judges, so you feel safe in that regard," Price said.
There are still many questions surrounding a federal lawsuit against Stines, who's accused of turning a blind eye to one of his deputies sexually abusing a woman in that same judge's chambers.
Longtime Louisville attorney Kent Wicker said a judge's chambers typically "would be a locked area, and only the judge and his staff would have access to that."
Wicker says he'll be watching closely to see what investigators conclude to be the motive.
"Does the motive suggest this is really a one-off? Or does the motive suggest there is a systematic problem that needs to be corrected by different policy measures? So that's what I'd want to know," Wicker said.
In a news briefing in Frankfort Friday morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he recognizes there are several rumors on the internet about a potential motive, but asserted "this is an active, ongoing investigation."
Mullins died at the scene and Stines surrendered to authorities. A KSP spokesperson said the sheriff is charged with murder.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman says his office will work with the commonwealth's attorney in London, Kentucky, as the special prosecutor in this case.
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