A MTSU professor was found dead from a gunshot in Tennessee; a man at the scene is cooperating but not charged.

A 41-year-old MTSU sociology professor, Dr. Ashleigh E. McKinzie, was found dead from apparent gunshot wounds early Thursday morning on Smithville Highway in DeKalb County, Tennessee. A loaded and cocked handgun registered to her was found at the scene. A 27-year-old man present at the scene, Todd C. Stanton, is cooperating with investigators and has not been charged. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and local authorities are jointly investigating, with no charges filed yet. MTSU expressed sorrow and offered counseling support to students and staff. The full circumstances remain under review.