Paul Park, a 29-year-old man from Brentwood, Tennessee, made his first court appearance after being accused of ambushing and shooting a total stranger, Alyssa Lokits, to death as she exercised on a popular trail in Nashville. Park was arrested less than 24 hours after Lokits’ body was found on the Mill Creek Greenway trail. The motive behind the killing remains unknown, leaving nearby residents terrified. Park has been charged with criminal homicide in connection to Lokits’ death.
Court records show that Park had a criminal background with two prior offenses. In 2017, he was sentenced to probation after a domestic assault arrest, and in 2018, he was sentenced to jail and probation for violating his probation sentence after an arrest for possession of drugs. One of the drug charges was dismissed as part of a plea deal. Lokits’ family released a statement describing her as a driven, successful, and compassionate individual. They expressed their devastation and requested privacy as they process their grief.
The community has called for more safety measures in the wake of Lokits’ death. Councilman John Rutherford emphasized the need for gates, lighting, increased patrols, and license plate readers in the area where the attack occurred. Nashville Police Chief John Drake acknowledged the importance of license plate readers in enhancing safety. Park and Lokits did not know each other, and the attack was described as random, with Park attempting to sexually assault Lokits before shooting her.
Members of the church Lokits attended expressed shock and sadness over her death. One neighbor described Lokits as kind and helpful, while a former classmate remembered her as a goal-oriented neuroscience graduate student. Witnesses reported hearing Lokits scream for help and claim that Park was trying to rape her before shots were fired. Video footage captured Park returning to his car with injuries and blood on his clothing before fleeing the scene.
A witness with a dashcam provided crucial video footage of Park and his car at the trailhead, leading to a major breakthrough in the case. Detective Shannon Forsyth recognized Park as the identical twin brother of a suspect in a previous suicide case, ultimately leading to Park’s arrest. The Lotkits family expressed their gratitude to law enforcement, witnesses, and the community for their support in seeking justice for Alyssa. As the investigation continues, they hope for severe consequences for the individual responsible for such a tragic crime.
