A judge in a rural Kentucky county was fatally shot in his courthouse chambers on Thursday, with the local sheriff charged with murder in the incident, according to authorities.

The Kentucky State Police’s preliminary investigation indicates that Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times after an argument in the courthouse. Judge Mullins, who had served on the bench for 15 years, died at the scene, while Sheriff Stines surrendered without resistance.

The shooting, which took place in the courthouse in Whitesburg, sent shockwaves through the close-knit Appalachian town of approximately 1,700 residents, located about 145 miles southeast of Lexington.

Letcher County’s lead prosecutor, Matt Butler, recused himself and his office from the investigation due to personal ties to the victim.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman confirmed that his office will work with a special prosecutor in the case.

The shooting prompted Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter to express his shock, noting that the court system was “shaken by this news.” Letcher County’s judge-executive also signed an order to close the courthouse on Friday.

Judge Mullins, 54, was shot multiple times, and Sheriff Stines, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder. The investigation remains ongoing.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responded to the tragedy on social media, saying, “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”

Judge Mullins, appointed by former Governor Steve Beshear in 2009, was known for his efforts to address substance abuse within the justice system. He helped hundreds of local residents enter inpatient treatment and developed a peer support program that was adopted in over 50 Kentucky counties.

Several area schools were briefly placed on lockdown following the incident.