LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WJHL) — A judge was shot and killed in the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP).
KSP Trooper Matt Gayheart spoke with members of the media outside of the courthouse around 6:30 p.m.
“At this time, we can confirm that the district judge was shot and unfortunately has passed away,” Gayheart said.
Gayheart confirmed that an arrest was made and described the shooting as an isolated incident that did not pose a threat to the public.
The judge was identified as District Judge Kevin Mullins by Kentucky State Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball. Mullins is also listed as the district judge on the Letcher County government website.
“It did take place inside the courthouse,” Gayheart said. An exact time of the shooting has not been determined. No other injuries were reported, but Gayheart said there were multiple witnesses to the shooting.
Gayheart also told News Channel 11 that due to the early nature of the investigation, a motive is not yet clear.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the Letcher County community.
“Any time a situation like this takes place, especially in a small town, it shakes the very foundation of what the town is and this is no different,” Gayheart said. “We’re just hoping that it’s a bad situation and we can resolve it as quickly as possible and start that process forward.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued a statement on the shooting over social media saying in part that there is “far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman also issued a statement on X, saying that his office will work with Commonwealth Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele as special prosecutors in the case.
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Photo: The scene outside the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday after a judge was shot and killed inside. (WJHL) -
Photo: The scene outside the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday after a judge was shot and killed inside. (WJHL) -
Photo: The scene outside the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday after a judge was shot and killed inside. (WJHL) -
Photo: The scene outside the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday after a judge was shot and killed inside. (WJHL) -
Photo: The scene outside the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday after a judge was shot and killed inside. (WJHL)
Letcher County Public Schools posted to social media shortly before 3:30 p.m. stating Letcher County Central High School went into a mandatory lockdown due to an active shooting in the downtown area.
The school system stated that KSP ordered the lockdown.
“Your children are safe,” the school’s social media post reads. “The shooter has been apprehended, but KSP has not released us to come out of lockdown. Your children were never in a concerning situation.”
The Kentucky Court of Justice provided its own statement on social media, stating it was in contact with KSP and other authorities and is “offering our full support during this difficult time.”
This is a developing story. News Channel 11 has a crew in Whitesburg and has reached out to authorities for more information.