A district judge in Kentucky was fatally shot in his chambers Thursday afternoon, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
“Sadly, I have been informed that a district judge in Letcher County was shot and killed in his chambers this afternoon,” the governor wrote on X. “There is far too much violence in this world, and I pray there is a path to a better tomorrow.”
Beshear did not provide any other details about the shooting.
Law enforcement agencies — including Kentucky State Police, the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office and the Whitesburg Police Department — did not immediately return requests for comment on Thursday afternoon.
Letcher County Central High School was placed on lockdown Thursday at the request of state police because of “an active shooting downtown,” a statement from the school said.
“Your children are safe. The shooter has been apprehended,” the statement said.
The students were later released from the school by order of state police, according to a statement.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
