No Charges Filed in MTSU Professor's Death

Authorities rule shooting was self-defense after professor approached driver with a gun

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:53am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent shooting death of a university professor raises complex questions about self-defense, mental health, and campus safety.Murfreesboro Today

District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway announced that no charges will be filed in the shooting death of 41-year-old Ashleigh McKinzie, a sociology professor at Middle Tennessee State University. Investigators said the final piece of the investigation came with the medical examiner's report, which showed McKinzie had toxic levels of methamphetamine in her system at the time of her death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding self-defense laws and the use of force, especially when mental health and substance abuse factors are involved. It also raises questions about campus safety and the potential risks professors may face, even off-campus.

The details

According to authorities, just before sunrise in December, McKinzie stepped onto Smithville Highway and approached a driver who was headed to work. The driver reported that McKinzie walked in front of his truck, raised a handgun and pointed it at him. The driver then fired in self-defense, and McKinzie was found dead in the roadway with a handgun nearby. Investigators also reported finding a mask and surveillance equipment near her body.

  • The incident occurred just before sunrise in December.
  • The medical examiner's report was completed yesterday.

The players

Bryant Dunaway

The District Attorney General who announced no charges will be filed in the case.

Ashleigh McKinzie

A 41-year-old sociology professor at Middle Tennessee State University who was killed in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“She was armed, and he felt like his life was in danger, and he fired in self-defense.”

— Bryant Dunaway, District Attorney General

“There was a rumor in the community that there was a relationship between them, but they met that morning by happenstance.”

— Bryant Dunaway, District Attorney General

What’s next

Prosecutors have closed the case, determining the shooting was justified self-defense.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for greater understanding and support for mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as the complex challenges surrounding self-defense laws and campus safety. It serves as a somber reminder of the potential risks professors may face, even off-campus.