In the early morning hours of a Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee, the life of 21-year-old Donpatric Jaciris Buford was tragically cut short. On January 24, 2021, the young African American man was in the parking lot of the Z Mart located in the 2600 block of Clarksville Pike. He had been a passenger in a four-door sedan before he got out and approached another vehicle to speak with its driver.
Following a conversation that lasted for several minutes, a sudden eruption of violence shattered
the pre-dawn quiet. The driver of the other vehicle opened fire on Buford, inflicting multiple gunshot wounds. After the shooting, the suspect immediately drove away, fleeing the scene. The vehicle in which Buford had arrived also departed before police could get there. First responders were called to the market around 1:30 a.m. and found Buford wounded in the parking lot. He was quickly transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Metro Nashville Police Department's Homicide Unit detectives began an investigation into the fatal shooting, identifying the driver who shot Buford as the primary suspect. However, the suspect has not been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder. Investigators continue to seek leads and a motive for the shooting. The case remains open, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers, offering the possibility of a cash reward for tips that could lead to an arrest.
