- Images from a video surveillance camera show the man pointing a gun at the judge.

DLNews Crime:

Whitesburg, Kentucky — It’s a story so bizarre it feels like fiction: a sheriff, a judge, and a plate of chicken wings, with a deadly twist. On September 19th, this sleepy town of Whitesburg became the center of national attention when Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines (43) allegedly shot and killed his long-time friend, District Judge Kevin Mullins (54), in a cold-blooded attack that left the community reeling.

District Judge Kevin Mullins (54) died when US Sheriff Shawn Stines (43) shot him eight times.

Hours before the tragic incident, the two men—friends for years—were seen enjoying lunch together at the popular Streetside Grill & Bar. As one witness described it, "They were laughing, eating chicken wings like it was any other day." But what followed later that afternoon in Judge Mullins' office was anything but ordinary.

Surveillance footage from the courthouse paints a chilling picture. In the video, Sheriff Stines can be seen pointing a gun at the judge, who is visibly trying to de-escalate the situation. Mullins, desperate to calm his long-time friend, pleads for peace, but Stines opens fire—eight times, leaving Mullins fatally wounded.

The footage shows that, just moments before the shots were fired, Stines had used the judge's phone to place a call. Investigators believe this may have been a tipping point. According to sources close to the case, Stines discovered his daughter’s phone number on Mullins’ cell, sparking a confrontation that spiraled into violence.

While the exact motive remains under investigation, whispers of a potential sex scandal have surfaced. Rumors began swirling shortly after the murder, suggesting that Judge Mullins, a respected figure since his appointment in 2009, may have been involved in extramarital affairs—or worse, inappropriate relationships. Whether these rumors hold any truth or add fuel to the fire is yet to be seen.

"The entire town is in shock. Kevin was well-loved here, and nobody saw this coming," said Sarah Jenkins, a resident. "It’s heartbreaking to think that something so tragic could come from what seemed like a long-standing friendship."

The sheriff wiped his eyes wearily as he listened to the testimony on Tuesday.

Sheriff Stines and Judge Mullins had worked closely together for years, particularly in their fight against the opioid epidemic that has ravaged the region. They were considered pillars of the community, making the crime all the more baffling. What could have driven a man once dedicated to upholding the law to turn on a friend?

“Shawn isn’t a monster,” one of Stines' colleagues said anonymously. "He’s always been passionate about justice, but something snapped that day."

Despite the video evidence and the accusations, Stines maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to the charges. His defense team has yet to reveal their entire strategy, but it is believed they will argue some form of emotional or psychological distress triggered by the contents of the judge’s phone. Three cell phones, including Stines’, are undergoing forensic analysis as investigators race to uncover the truth.

As Whitesburg mourns the loss of a well-respected judge and grapples with the tarnishing of their sheriff's once-sterling reputation, many are left asking how it came to this.

With trials and investigations looming, this small Kentucky town will have to wait for answers, though some fear they may never truly understand how a day that began with chicken wings and camaraderie could end with bullets and bloodshed.