Kentucky State Police are searching for motive as they investigate the fatal shooting of a district judge by a sheriff after the two had an argument inside the judge’s chambers, according to police.

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, police said. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

A Kentucky sheriff has been arrested Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of a district judge inside a courthouse, Kentucky State Police said.

Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins was shot and killed by a sheriff on Thursday afternoon while in his chambers. Gov. Andy Beshear rebuked the violence in a public statement.

WHITESBURG, Ky. — A judge in a rural Kentucky county was shot and killed at the local courthouse on Thursday, and the local sheriff was charged in the shocking slaying, police said.

KSP’s preliminary investigation indicates that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines, 43, shot Mullins following an argument inside the courthouse. They say Stines was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Stines has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

A Kentucky sheriff was arrested and charged with murder for allegedly shooting a judge in his chambers on Thursday. Police were called to the Letcher County Courthouse on Thursday around 3pm and found District Judge Kevin Mullins,

A Kentucky sheriff was accused of fatally shooting a district judge in Letcher County on Thursday. Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines allegedly shot District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers. Gov.