Kentucky State Police and Letcher County Coroner Perry Fowler were still at the Letcher County Courthouse at 5 p.m. today, investigating the shooting death of Letcher District Judge Kevin D. Mullins, who was presumably shot by the Letcher County Sheriff.
According to officials, Sheriff Mickey Stines was detained after surrendering to police. The shooting occurred in the judge’s chambers around 3 p.m. today (September 19). Police had blocked off Main Street in Whitesburg and were shooing people off the streets surrounding it. Stines allegedly entered the judge’s outer office and informed the court officials and anyone there that he needed to talk with Mullins alone.
The two then entered the inside office, closed the door, and those outside heard bullets. SStines went out with his hands up, surrendering to authorities. Following the shooting, court staff stood on the pavement outside the building, shocked. Stines was handcuffed in the courthouse foyer. Officials expected the probe to last several more hours.
Kevin Tessa Mullins was pronounced dead following a gunshot wound to the head. The tragic incident happened after an altercation broke out between the suspect and the victim. The nature of the misunderstanding is under investigation. The victim was a loving husband and a dedicated father of two.
