Two Dead In Etowah County Shooting Identified
Etowah County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting incident on Coats Bend Circle in rural Etowah County on January 28, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered an adult male and an adult female suffering from gunshot wounds. Deputies, along with fire department personnel and ambulance crews, performed lifesaving measures at the scene. 68-year-old Darla McKenzie was airlifted to a Birmingham medical facility in critical condition, and later pronounced dead. 72-year-old Michael McKenzie died at the scene.
Based on information gathered from the 911 call and evidence at the scene, deputies identified the suspect as Christopher Johnson. With the assistance of Ashville, Steele, and Rainbow City Police Departments, the suspect was quickly detained. Johnson was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center on two counts of Capital Murder, and is being held with no bond.
