Gordon County: Shooting victim identified

A woman shot to death last night in Gordon County has been identified.

Christy McKnight, 40, was found dead early this morning along railroad tracks near the Hill City crossroads, Sheriff Mark Ralston said today in a press conference.

Paul Buchannon, 38, with whom McKnight was romantically involved, is the lead suspect and was captured early this morning after leading the police on a hunt through the night.

After finding Buchannon, Gordon County deputies shot him when he threatened to shoot several officers, Ralston said. He was transported to Erlanger hospital and is in critical condition, the sheriff said. The Sheriff’s Office plans to charge him with murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and firearms violations, officials said.

McKnight's son, 17-year-old Justin Anderson, and her nephew, 19-year-old Cody Adams, were also shot in the incident, Ralston said. They were transported to local hospitals but their injuries weren't considered life-threatening.

Officers received a call around 6 p.m. Thursday that multiple people had been shot at 2511 US Highway 41 near Resaca, she said.

Police began to search for Buchannon and found him after finding McKnight's body along the railroad tracks.