parks
Smyrna restaurant reopens after employee allegedly attacked by customer in parking lot
By Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 10, 2026
· 1 min read
SMYRNA, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Smyrna restaurant has reopened after one of its employees “was the victim of a violent and traumatic incident” at the location earlier this week.“A customer physically attacked me and then attempted to use her vehicle to run me over in our parking lot,” Mack’s Hot Chicken...
Key takeaway “A customer physically attacked me and then attempted to use her vehicle to run me over in our parking lot,” Mack’s Hot Chicken said in a Facebook post on July 8.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The reopening of Mack's Hot Chicken in Smyrna comes as a relief to the local community, which has been shaken by the violent incident in the restaurant's parking lot. As a community that values its family-friendly atmosphere, the fact that multiple people, including families with children, witnessed the attack is particularly disturbing. The decision by Mack's Hot Chicken to reopen and continue serving the community despite the trauma inflicted on one of its employees demonstrates the resilience of local businesses in the face of adversity. This incident also raises questions about public safety in Smyrna's commercial areas, and whether more can be done to prevent such incidents in the future. As the community continues to heal and move forward, it will be important to watch how local authorities and businesses work together to ensure that public spaces remain safe and welcoming for all.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SMYRNA, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Smyrna restaurant has reopened after one of its employees “was the victim of a violent and traumatic incident” at the location earlier this week.“A customer physically attacked me and then attempted to use her vehicle to run me over in our parking lot,” Mack’s Hot Chicken...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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