A Kentucky sheriff was arrested yesterday on charges that he shot a district judge after an argument at the county courthouse. court, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Letcher County Sheriff Mikey Stines, 43, was taken into custody at the courthouse where Circuit Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was killed, Kentucky State Police said.
Police have not given a motive for the shooting, and Stines has been charged with first-degree murder.
"There is too much violence in the world and I pray that there is a way to a better tomorrow," wrote in "X" state governor Andy Beshear.
"We will conduct a full investigation and demand justice," Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said on social media, clarifying that his department will work the case with special prosecutors.
The Kentucky court said on social media that it was "aware of today's tragic case in Letcher County" and has offered his full cooperation to the state police in the investigation.
The shooting happened in Whitesburg – the administrative center of Letcher County, near the state border with Virginia.
The local newspaper "Mountain Eagle" reported that Stines entered the judge's office and told officers he needed to speak with Mullins in private. The two then entered the judge's private office, closed the door behind them, and a short time later shots rang out. Steins came out with his hands up and surrendered to the police.