A routine overnight inventory shift ended in tragedy for a Nashville family when a stray bullet fired during a street-level argument pierced the wall of a Sam's Club, fatally striking a Frito-Lay employee stocking the chip aisle. Paris Carlock, 55, was hit in the head and later died, leaving behind a daughter who described him as her "best friend" and a grandfather who had just arrived to meet his 6-week-old grandson.
Background
The incident occurred early Sunday morning around 4 a.m. at the Sam's Club located on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Carlock was working inside the store, specifically in the middle of the store in the chip aisle, where he was conducting a product inventory for Frito-Lay.
Investigators determined that the bullet did not originate from inside the retail store. Instead, gunfire heard on Antioch Pike around the same time was connected to an argument that began inside Lavo Lounge, located just down the street from the Sam's Club. Reports indicate that individuals had been removed from the lounge by security, but the dispute continued outside. As multiple vehicles were leaving the area, shots were fired, one of which traveled through a metal wall of the Sam's Club and struck Carlock.
The Investigation
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed that Carlock was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. Sam's Club employees rushed to Carlock's aid immediately following the shooting. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing, with detectives actively pursuing leads to identify the person who fired the fatal shot. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the argument at Lavo Lounge or the subsequent shooting to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers.
Key Takeaways
- Paris Carlock, 55, a Frito-Lay employee, was fatally shot in the head while stocking shelves at a Sam's Club in Nashville.
- The bullet penetrated a metal wall of the store, originating from an argument that spilled out of the nearby Lavo Lounge.
- Carlock was in the middle of the store conducting a product inventory when he was struck.
- The victim's daughter, Kayla Carlock, described her father as a humble man who had recently arrived in the area to meet his new grandson.
- Police are investigating the connection between the lounge dispute and the stray gunfire, with the shooter still unidentified.
What's Next
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department continues to investigate the shooting and search for the suspect responsible for the stray bullet. No arrests have been announced. Authorities are relying on witness testimony and surveillance footage from the Antioch Pike area to piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal shot. The community is encouraged to submit tips to Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.