A district judge was shot and killed in his chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse in Kentucky on Thursday.

Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the incident, expressing condolences and concern over rising violence.

The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. local time in Whitesburg, approximately 150 miles southeast of Lexington.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that his office would work with Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele to investigate the case thoroughly.

The Kentucky Court of Justice extended its support to law enforcement and the affected community, The Hill has reported.

This tragic event follows a recent highway shooting spree in which five people were wounded, with the suspected gunman found dead.

Written by B.C. Begley