A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested after fatally shooting a judge in his chambers, police say.
District Judge Kevin Mullins died at the scene after being shot multiple times in the Letcher County Courthouse, Kentucky State Police said.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.
The shooting happened on Thursday after an argument inside the court, police said, but they have not yet revealed a motive.
Officials said Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times at around 14:00 local time on Thursday at the court in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a small rural town about 150 miles (240km) south-east of Lexington.
Sheriff Stines was arrested at the scene without incident, Kentucky State Police said. They did not reveal the nature of the argument before the shooting.

The state attorney general, Russell Coleman, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his office “will fully investigate and pursue justice”.
Announcing Judge Mullins’ death on social media, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said: “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Kentucky State Police spokesman Matt Gayheart told the Washington Post that 50 employees were inside the court building when the shooting occurred.
No-one else was hurt. A school in the area was briefly put on lockdown.
Mr Gayheart, who has worked with Kentucky State Police for 14 years, added: "This is the only incident like this I've heard of in this county."
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B VanMeter said he was "shocked by this act of violence".
Latest Stories
-
Afenyo-Markin under fire for ‘strange elevation’ comment to Esikado MP ‘over’ Zanetor
15 seconds -
Abanga Yakubu refutes allegations of leading unauthorised anti-galamsey operations
17 minutes -
Minority, Majority MPs clash over credit for Ghana’s economic gains
44 minutes -
2025 NPP Congress: Kufuor, Akufo-Addo to deliver virtual address to delegates
57 minutes -
UG lifts ban on social gatherings amid improved COVID-19 situation
2 hours -
Cataract, glaucoma, and pterygium predominant in Ketu North Municipality
2 hours -
I’m not afraid of anyone in the NPP – Mustapha Gbande
2 hours -
Okada rider dies after alleged assault by galamsey taskforce at Amenam
2 hours -
Nkulenu Industries Ltd sign up for JoySports Invitational Tournament 2025
2 hours -
Andrew Adote deserves grand celebration – George Quaye
2 hours -
Ticks are taking over city parks – here’s how to avoid them
2 hours -
ECOWAS mourns Buhari, hails his contribution to democracy and integration
3 hours -
Akua Afriyie defied NPP orders; now she apologises over Ablekuma North re-run
3 hours -
Hitz FM rolls out new weekend line-up with youth-focused programming
3 hours -
GES urges students to report weapons in schools
3 hours