In a tragic event that has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 43, fatally shot 54-year-old Judge Kevin Mullins inside a local courthouse last month. Recent surveillance footage reveals a tense confrontation in the judge’s office, where Mullins appears to raise his hands in a bid to protect himself, crouching down in a desperate attempt to shield himself from Stines, who fired eight shots, seemingly shifting angles to aim more effectively.

According to the New York Post, Stines and Mullins shared a long-standing friendship that spanned decades. On the day of the shooting, September 19, the two men even shared lunch together. However, events took a grim turn when Stines requested a private meeting with Mullins after speaking briefly with the secretary. Shortly after, a series of gunshots echoed through the courthouse.

During a recent court hearing, the unsettling surveillance footage was presented. In the video, Mullins is seated at his desk, trying to pacify the escalating situation by raising his hands. As he tries to crawl under the desk for safety, Stines continues to fire at him from varying positions.

After the shooting, Stines emerged from the office with his hands raised in surrender to responding deputies, claiming he believed someone was attempting to kidnap his family. He has since been taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. Although he has pleaded not guilty, Stines has indicated his plans to resign from his sheriff position while remaining incarcerated.

Detective Clayton Stamper testified that prior to the tragedy, both men shared lunch with a group and exhibited no signs of discord. Nevertheless, reports indicate that Mullins had expressed a desire for a private meeting with Stines. Additionally, evidence has surfaced showing that Stines made multiple calls to Mullins’ daughter before the shooting, using both their phones.

The investigation is still active, with authorities seeking more witnesses and reviewing the contents of both men’s phones. Stines’ defense attorney has refrained from commenting on potential motives for the shooting. However, some sources have suggested that the investigation may involve allegations of a sexual scandal, although specific details remain vague.

Earlier accounts mentioned that surveillance footage inside the room showed the two men exchanging phones and reviewing messages just before Stines approached Mullins and shot him. The Kentucky police have taken both phones for forensic analysis and, while they have not ruled out the possibility of a sexual scandal as a motive, they confirmed they are exploring all avenues related to the case.