'Tragedy': Kentucky sheriff charged in fatal courthouse shooting of judge stuns community

Sheriff John Root charged with murder in shooting death of Ballard County Circuit Judge Joseph Paul Jr.

Root's attorney says the sheriff acted in self-defense, but witnesses say Root shot Judge Paul without provocation

Martin, Ky. — A Kentucky sheriff has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a circuit judge inside a courthouse, stunning a small community where the two men were well-known figures.

Ballard County Sheriff John Root, 68, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with murder and wanton endangerment in the shooting death of Ballard County Circuit Judge Joseph Paul Jr., 58, Kentucky State Police said.

Root's attorney, Guthrie True, said the sheriff acted in self-defense after Judge Paul lunged at him with a knife during an altercation in the judge's chambers.

However, several witnesses, including court officials and sheriff's deputies, told investigators that Root shot Judge Paul without provocation as the judge sat at his desk.

The shooting occurred around 8:30 a.m. Thursday inside the Ballard County Courthouse in Wickliffe, a town of about 700 people located in western Kentucky, near the Mississippi River.

According to Kentucky State Police, Root and Judge Paul had been involved in a long-running dispute over the sheriff's handling of security at the courthouse.

The dispute had escalated in recent weeks, with Judge Paul filing a motion to have Root removed from office. A hearing on the motion was scheduled for Friday.

On Thursday morning, Root went to the courthouse to meet with Judge Paul about the dispute, True said. The two men met in the judge's chambers, and an argument ensued.

True said Judge Paul lunged at Root with a knife, and Root shot him in self-defense.

However, several witnesses told investigators that Root shot Judge Paul without provocation.

One witness, a court clerk, told investigators that she heard Judge Paul say, "What are you doing?" before Root shot him.

Another witness, a sheriff's deputy, told investigators that he saw Root shoot Judge Paul as the judge sat at his desk.

Root was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the McCracken County Jail.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the small community of Wickliffe.

Judge Paul was a lifelong resident of Ballard County and had served as circuit judge for the past 12 years.

Root was elected sheriff in 2018.

The Kentucky State Police is investigating the shooting.