: Following her death, reports emerged that McKinzie had recently expressed fears for her safety. According to student accounts, she mentioned in class that she had filed for a restraining order just days before the shooting. Records later confirmed she had petitioned for two orders of protection .
This report focuses on the life, career, and tragic death of , an Associate Professor of Sociology at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Career and Academic Contributions
: McKinzie received numerous regional and national accolades for her research, including honors from the American Society of Criminology, the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and Sociologists for Women in Society.
: A 27-year-old man, Todd Stanton, was at the scene when police arrived, with his own weapon placed on the hood of his truck. He was reportedly cooperating with investigators, and as of December 8, 2025, no arrests had been made. Recent Investigations and Community Impact
: Her body was discovered on a highway near her home in Smithville with multiple gunshot wounds. A loaded and cocked handgun, which was registered to her, was found lying beside her.