Investigators are probing the death of a Middle Tennessee State University professor who was found shot dead in the middle of a roadway in Dekalb County early Thursday morning.
The Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office said deputies responded to the shooting and found “a loaded and cocked handgun” next to the body of 41-year-old Ashleigh E. McKinzie, as well as a handgun on the hood of a truck belonging to 27-year-old Todd C. Stanton, who was still on the scene. Stanton was said to be cooperating with investigators.
District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway said the gun lying next to McKinzie’s body belonged to her, and the gun on Stanton’s truck belonged to him. He also said that he had asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to join the investigation.
The incident took place on State Route 56 near Center Hill Lake, a popular recreation area.
No other information was made available, and no charges have been filed so far as the investigation continues.
McKinzie was an associate professor of sociology at the Murfreesboro school and had been at her job since 2017, the school’s student newspaper reported. The school issued a statement of sympathy and reminded students “who may need support” of the school’s counseling services. Employee assistance is also available for faculty and staff, the school said.
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[Featured image: Ashleigh McKinzie/Middle Tennessee State University]