Detectives say an argument near Lavo Lounge preceded gunfire that sent a bullet through a nearby Sam’s Club wall.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Homicide detectives are investigating gunfire tied to an argument outside a South Nashville lounge after a bullet traveled into a nearby Sam’s Club and killed a Frito-Lay employee who was working inside early Sunday.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said the investigation so far connects the gunfire to a dispute that began inside Lavo Lounge on Antioch Pike. Security removed people involved in the argument, police said, but the confrontation reportedly continued outside. Shots were heard as multiple vehicles left the area shortly after 4 a.m. Sept. 6.
One of those bullets went through a metal wall of the nearby Sam’s Club and struck Paris Carlock, 55, of Murfreesboro, who was conducting product inventory in the chip aisle near the middle of the store. Employees rushed to help him, and he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation now centers on identifying the people involved in the gunfire and determining which shot entered the warehouse. Police have said homicide detectives are pursuing leads, but authorities have not publicly announced an arrest or released the identity of a suspected shooter.
Police also have not released detailed descriptions of the vehicles that were seen leaving the area in connection with the shooting. Investigators have asked for information about both the gunfire and the vehicles, signaling that the movements of people leaving the lounge area are part of the effort to reconstruct what happened.
Authorities have described Carlock as an innocent victim. Nothing released by police indicates that he was involved in the argument or knew the people who were involved. He was working for Frito-Lay inside the store when the bullet crossed from outside the building into the aisle where he was conducting inventory.
Local reporting Monday showed security personnel moving through the Sam’s Club parking lot and workers repairing the portion of the building where the bullet entered. Shoppers interviewed at the store expressed sadness over Carlock’s death and concern that gunfire from an outside dispute had reached someone working inside the warehouse.
PepsiCo, which owns Frito-Lay, said it was deeply saddened by the loss of one of its employees and offered condolences to Carlock’s family and loved ones. The company said it had been working with law enforcement and local officials. Sam’s Club separately said it was heartbroken by the incident and would continue cooperating with investigators.
Police have not disclosed how many shots were fired, how many people may have fired weapons or whether investigators have recovered the firearm responsible for Carlock’s death. Authorities also have not announced criminal charges connected to the dispute. Those questions remain part of an active homicide investigation.
Detectives are seeking information from anyone who witnessed the gunfire or has knowledge of the vehicles involved. Nashville Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips, and police said callers may qualify for a cash reward. The department had not announced an arrest in Carlock’s killing as of Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated September 8, 2026.