A husband and wife from Roswell were shot and killed in northeast Alabama on Tuesday, leading local authorities to arrest their son-in-law on a murder charge.
The incident took place in rural Alabama, northeast of Gadsden and about 25 miles from the Georgia border, around 12:30 p.m., the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Deputies were called to a home on Coats Bend Circle, where they found Michael McKenzie, 72, and Darla McKenzie, 68, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
Michael McKenzie was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said, but Darla McKenzie was flown to Birmingham with critical injuries. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Investigators quickly identified 38-year-old Christopher Scott Johnson as the suspect thanks to information gathered at the scene and from 911 calls, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies worked with several other police departments to find Johnson and take him into custody soon after the incident.
Credit: Etowah County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Etowah County Sheriff's Office
Jail records show that Johnson was booked into the Etowah jail about three hours after deputies responded to the shooting. He was booked on one count of capital murder.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that Johnson was married to the McKenzies' daughter, according to Alabama news station WBRC 6 News. The couple were in Alabama visiting their daughter and son-in-law, the news station reported.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for the McKenzie family, and our hearts go out to them. The loss of loved ones in such a tragic manner is devastating, and we extend our deepest sympathy to their family and friends,” Etowah Sheriff Jonathan Horton said. “To the Etowah County community, I want to assure you that we are committed to ensuring justice is served, and there is no threat to your safety.”
Darla McKenzie was a former partner at the Atlanta law firm Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP, according to public records. She specialized in real estate development and finance, and she earned her law degree from Emory University in 1980.
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