The death of a judge in his courthouse chambers has made headlines across the US and overseas after a sheriff was charged with his murder.
Few details have been shared by police and little is known about a potential motive for the incident on September 19, which has piqued the interest of those following the story online.
Here is what we know.
What happened?
District Judge Kevin Mullins and Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines had reportedly been arguing at the Letcher County courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, shortly before shots rang out on the second floor at 2:55pm.
Judge Mullins, who held the judgeship since 2009, died at the scene and Sheriff Stines was arrested soon after police arrived.
Shawn "Mickey" Stines was charged with one count of first-degree murder and remains in jail. (Leslie County Detention Center via AP)
Circuit court clerk Mike Watts told WKYT he had seen the pair hours prior.
"We were kind of joking around about national politics … And then I talked to the sheriff about attending the sheriff's association (conference) last week in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and asked him how that went.
"And then they went down the street to eat lunch."
He told the Associated Press it seemed like an ordinary interaction, except the sheriff seemed quieter than usual.
The clerk said he thought the pair had a good working relationship and knew of nothing that could have prompted the violent encounter.
Mr Watts said he was on another floor and never heard any shots fired.
The small town of Whitesburg has been rocked by the alleged murder. (AP: Randy Sartin)
How has Whitesburg reacted?
The incident stunned the small town, which has a population of about 1,700 people.
"It's just so sad, I hate it," Mr Watts said.
Those who knew the sheriff have been struggling to understand what led to the incident, which they say was out of character.
Jessica Slone, a distant relative of Sheriff Stines, said he was close with his children and worked hard to get fentanyl and methamphetamine off the streets.
Letcher County residents who knew Shawn "Mickey" Stines described him as a family man. (AP: Dylan Lovan)
Patty Wood said she had been close friends with him and his family for years.
"You couldn't find a better person on the face of the earth than Mickey Stines," she said.
"I don't know what happened.
"I know Mickey's character and I know there had to be something that did it.
"I just cannot believe that he just went in and shot him for no reason."
Mourners gathered at a high school gym for the judge's funeral on Sunday, recalling his service to Letcher County.
Kevin Mullins had served as district judge in Letcher County since 2009. (Kentucky Court of Justice via AP)
The judge was known for his work promoting substance abuse treatment for people in the justice system and helping hundreds of residents enter inpatient residential treatment.
Judge Mullins also helped create a program offering courthouse peer support for addiction treatment and worked with various healthcare organisations and providers.
An arrest citation from Kentucky State Police gave few details about the incident.
Kentucky Attorney-General Russel Coleman said his office will collaborate with a regional commonwealth's attorney as special prosecutors in the criminal case.
"We will fully investigate and pursue justice," Mr Coleman said on social media.
Sheriff Stines will participate virtually at his arraignment on Wednesday, local time.
ABC/AP