The Nashville community is mourning the tragic death of Paris Carlock, a 55-year-old Frito-Lay employee who was fatally struck by a bullet while working inside a Sam’s Club in South Nashville on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Carlock, a resident of Murfreesboro, was working inside the Sam’s Club located on Antioch Pike shortly after 4 a.m. when gunfire outside sent a bullet through the store’s metal side wall. The bullet struck Carlock in the head as he conducted product inventory in the chip aisle near the middle of the store.

Sam’s Club employees immediately rushed to Carlock’s aid following the shooting. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. Police described him as an innocent victim of gunfire that erupted outside the store.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting began at a nearby establishment, Lavo Lounge, located just down Antioch Pike from the Sam’s Club. Investigators said an argument reportedly began inside the lounge before the individuals involved were removed by security. According to police, the confrontation continued outside, where shots were heard as multiple vehicles were leaving the area. One of the bullets traveled through the exterior wall of the nearby Sam’s Club and struck Carlock while he was carrying out his regular work duties.

The circumstances make Carlock’s death particularly heartbreaking for those who knew him. He was not involved in the dispute that led to the gunfire and was simply performing his job when an act of violence outside the store reached him.

Family members are now left grieving the sudden loss of a loved one, while colleagues and others who knew Carlock are facing the shock of losing someone during what should have been an ordinary workday. His death has also renewed concern about the devastating consequences that gun violence can have on people who are completely uninvolved in the conflicts that produce it.

Carlock’s daughter, Kayla Carlock, described her father as a humble and loving man who was always available to help the people in his life. She said the shooting had devastated the family and expressed hope that those responsible would come forward. Her description offered a glimpse into the man behind the headlines and the profound personal loss now being experienced by his family.

Frito-Lay’s parent company, PepsiCo, also expressed sorrow following Carlock’s death. The company said it was deeply saddened by the passing of one of its colleagues and extended condolences to his family and loved ones while working with law enforcement and local officials investigating the incident. Sam’s Club likewise expressed heartbreak over what happened and said it would continue cooperating with authorities.

Metro Nashville Police Department homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting. As of the latest reports, police had not announced an arrest or publicly identified a suspected shooter. Investigators are seeking information about the gunfire and the vehicles involved in the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, with anonymous tips potentially eligible for a cash reward.

Paris Carlock’s death has left a family grieving, colleagues mourning, and a community confronting another devastating reminder of how quickly violence can alter innocent lives. For those who knew him, his memory will remain connected not to the circumstances of his death, but to the loving, humble, and dependable person his family remembers.