A Valley Head man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Collinsville woman.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said James Michael Howard Jr., 27, has been charged with murder and public intoxication.
According to Welden, deputies and police from Collinsville and Crossville responded to an address on County Road 221 Tuesday on reports of an unconscious woman.
The woman, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.
Welden said Howard was spotted in the area by neighbors of the victim a short time after law enforcement arrived on scene. After an interview, investigators determined Howard was at the victim’s residence earlier.
Howard was booked into the Dekalb County Detention Center and is being held without bond.
“This is such a tragic and senseless act of violence, and our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the victim,” Welden said.