Report: 1 dead, Letcher County sheriff arrested following courthouse shooting

This story has been updated with new information.

Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines has been arrested in connection to a shooting at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg , according to a local report.

The Mountain Eagle , a local newspaper in Whitesburg, reported Stines allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins in his office Thursday afternoon before surrendering himself.

Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed on social media that a district judge in Letcher County was killed in a shooting.

"Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon. There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow," Beshear wrote.

Attorney General Russell Coleman said that his office will collaborate with Commonwealth's Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele on the investigation.

"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Coleman wrote on X, formerly Twitter .

Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball made a post on social media confirming Mullins was the victim in the shooting and offering the community condolences.

"I'm praying for Letcher County and District Judge Kevin Mullins who was shot earlier today. May God protect this community and all those involved in the shooting," Ball wrote.

One dead in Letcher County shooting

According to a report from WKYT-TV , the Letcher County Coroner's Office has confirmed one person died in the shooting but did not confirm that person was Mullins. A Kentucky State Police Post 13 spokesperson also confirmed one person was taken in custody, but did not confirm the person's identity. Police are reportedly on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Officials from the Kentucky Court of Justice acknowledged the incident in a statement posted to social media , adding that additional details cannot be shared.

"The Kentucky Court of Justice is aware of a tragic incident that occurred today in Letcher County. 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 that we can," the statement said.

"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."

Whitesburg school went on lockdown after shooting

Letcher County Central High School in Whitesburg went into a lockdown in response to the incident and has since released students to go home, school officials said on social media.

"After a call from Kentucky State Police, we were ordered to go into a mandatory lockdown because of an active shooting in downtown. Your children are safe. The shooter has been apprehended," a social media post from the school reads in part.

Where is Whitesburg, Kentucky?

Whitesburg is a city in Letcher County and the county seat, which sits in southeast Kentucky. The county population is 21,548, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.

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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.