Kentucky town in shock after local sheriff allegedly kills judge in courthouse
A local sheriff is behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed a district judge in his chambers.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines was arrested in connection to the murder of , according to Kentucky State Police.
Stines' booking photo shows the high-ranking deputy in jail clothing.
He is currently being held at Leslie County Jail, according to his mug shot obtained by CNN.
The small Kentucky townsoutheast of Lexington was shocked when news ofMullins' death was reported.
State police alleged that Stines shot Mullins multiple times while the judge was in his chambers at the courthouse Thursday.
The judge was pronounced dead at the scene as Stines was taken into custody.
Authorities have not released a motive for the fatal shooting. Trooper Mathew Gayheart did say the shooting happened after an argument occurred inside the courthouse.
Investigators were still figuring out what led up to the killing.
"At tis time that's the question we are still trying to get answers to... what led up to the actual shooting itself and the moments prior to,"Gayheart told reports at the scene.
Authorities believe that there maybe video surveillance that was recording inside the courthouse.
Stines is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, Gayheart mentioned.
The sheriff is facing one count of first-degree murder.
"Anytime a situation like this takes place, especially in a small town, it shakes the very foundation of what the town is," Gayheart said about how the community was coping. "This is no different. We're just hoping that we can resolve this as quickly as possible and start that process forward."
According to the Associated Press, Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter said he was "shocked by this act of violence" and that the court system was "shaken by this news."
More information about the investigation is expected to be released Friday from the Kentucky State Police.
