In the early morning hours of December 4, 2025, Deputies with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving a shooting on Smithville Highway in the area of Captain’s Point Road. Upon arrival, deputies found a deceased adult female in the roadway with apparent gun shot wounds. A loaded and cocked handgun was lying next to her body. The woman was later identified as Ashleigh E. McKinzie, age 41. An adult male, later identified as Todd C. Stanton, age 27 was also on scene upon the deputies’ arrival. He is cooperating with investigators.

I requested that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation join the investigation. Both agencies are actively working together to determine the circumstances and nature of the incident. No criminal charges have been taken at this time. Investigators are currently working diligently to determine the facts so that a full evaluation will be made.

Bryant C. Dunaway

District Attorney General