A shocking courthouse shooting in Letcher County, Kentucky, has left District Judge Kevin Mullins dead after an altercation with the county sheriff.

The sheriff, Mickey Stines, reportedly opened fire on Mullins in the judge's office following a brief argument, and though the motive behind the deadly encounter remains unclear, video footage captured in the office shows the two men exchanging cell phones just before the shooting, as the Daily Mail reports.

The fatal shooting occurred during a seemingly normal day at the courthouse. Earlier that day, both men had lunch together alongside other court employees, making the afternoon incident all the more unexpected.

According to security footage, Stines stood up, locked the office door, and exchanged words with the judge before firing his weapon.

Former Colleagues with Long History

The relationship between Stines and Mullins went back years. Before being elected sheriff in 2018, Stines had served as Mullins' bailiff. Their long-standing professional connection made the events of the shooting even more jarring for the local community, which is already struggling to understand why the tragedy occurred.

Letcher County, a tight-knit Appalachian community with a population of about 1,700, is in shock. Mullins had been a well-respected figure in the legal system, having served as a judge for 15 years after being appointed by former Governor Steve Beshear in 2009. Stines, on the other hand, was also a known public figure, having been reelected sheriff in 2022.

Legal Issues Surrounding Sheriff Stines

In the days leading up to the shooting, Sheriff Stines was dealing with legal matters of his own. He was named in a lawsuit for allegedly failing to investigate claims of sexual assault against one of his deputies, Ben Fields. The former, deputy who had once worked under Stines, pleaded guilty to taping a former inmate and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Stines was scheduled to give a deposition related to the lawsuit just four days before the shooting occurred. While it is not yet known whether these legal issues are connected to the courthouse incident, the timing has added another layer of complexity to the case.

Sheriff Surrenders Without Incident

After the shooting, Stines surrendered to authorities without any resistance. He has since been charged with first-degree murder, and the investigation into what exactly transpired between him and Judge Mullins is ongoing.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart stated, "We know that it was an argument between the two that led up, but what exactly transpired prior to the shots being fired, that's still things that we're trying to get answers to."

The shooting has also led to the involvement of outside legal authorities. Due to personal and social ties to Judge Mullins, Letcher County prosecutor Matt Butler recused himself and his entire office from participating in the investigation.

"We all know each other here," Butler explained, adding that he and Mullins had deep family connections, which necessitated his decision to step aside.

Courthouse Closed Following Tragedy

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Letcher County judge-executive signed an order to close the county courthouse for the rest of the day. The courthouse, typically a hub of activity, fell silent as local officials and the community grappled with the shocking event.

Judge Kevin Mullins, remembered for his 15 years of service in the state's 47th district, had earned respect for his approach to treating drug addiction. In 2010, he implemented an inmate treatment program aimed at helping those struggling with substance abuse—a move that many praised as forward-thinking. Prior to his judgeship, Mullins worked as an assistant commonwealth attorney, where he focused on prosecuting drug-related offenses.

Long Careers Cut Short

Both Mullins and Stines had careers that spanned years of public service. Mullins had dedicated himself to the legal system, overseeing cases involving juveniles, misdemeanors, and domestic violence, while also maintaining a focus on rehabilitative efforts for those battling addiction.

Stines, meanwhile, had been planning to retire at the end of his current term as sheriff. His career, marked by both accomplishments and controversies, came to an abrupt halt with the shooting.

Community Mourns Loss of Judge Mullins

The community of Letcher County is reeling from the loss of Judge Mullins. For many, the courthouse shooting has shattered the sense of safety and normalcy in the small town. As the investigation unfolds, residents are left with questions about what led to this tragedy and how such a long-standing professional relationship ended so violently.

In conclusion, the shocking shooting of District Judge Kevin Mullins by Sheriff Mickey Stines has left a community in mourning and searching for answers. While the motive remains unclear, the legal and personal histories of the two men add complexity to the ongoing investigation. The small Appalachian town of Letcher County continues to grapple with the devastating loss of a respected judge and the troubling circumstances that surround his death.