Deputies in Dekalb County are investigating a tragic shooting that left a Middle Tennessee State University professor dead early Wednesday morning. The victim, identified as 41-year-old Ashleigh E. McKinzie, was found lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds on Smithville Highway near Captain’s Point Road. Authorities say the call for help came in during the early morning hours of December 4, prompting a swift response by law enforcement.
When deputies arrived, they discovered McKinzie unresponsive and immediately noted the severity of her injuries. A loaded and cocked handgun was found on the ground beside her, and investigators later confirmed that the firearm belonged to her. Despite the efforts of first responders, McKinzie was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, and officials are working to determine exactly what led to the tragedy.
Also found at the scene was 27-year-old Todd C. Stanton, an adult male who was standing near his truck. A handgun registered to him was placed on the hood of the vehicle. Deputies say Stanton has been cooperating fully with the investigation. At this time, authorities have not filed any criminal charges as they continue to gather evidence and analyze the sequence of events.
District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway has requested support from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and both agencies are now working jointly to uncover the facts. Dunaway emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that officials are carefully reviewing all available evidence to understand how the shooting unfolded. He stated that more information will be released once investigators have a clearer picture of what happened.
McKinzie was a respected faculty member in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at MTSU, where she was known for her dedication to teaching and her impact on students. News of her death has deeply shaken the campus community. In a statement, the department expressed heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, and students, calling the loss “devastating” and urging those grieving to make use of university support services.
As investigators continue their work, the community is left searching for answers in the wake of this heartbreaking loss. More details are expected to emerge as authorities piece together the evidence from the scene and conduct interviews. For now, friends, students, and colleagues of Professor McKinzie mourn a life cut tragically short.
