The comedy world is in shock. Reggie Carroll, a veteran stand-up comedian whose career stretched from early 2000s sitcoms to sold-out tours alongside Cat Williams, is dead at 52 — the victim of a brazen shooting in Southaven, Mississippi. And while one suspect is already in custody, the circumstances surrounding Carroll’s death have unleashed a storm of speculation, suspicion, and silence that threatens to engulf some of comedy’s biggest names.

The Fatal Night in Southaven

According to police reports, the shooting unfolded on August 20, 2025, outside a business operating under the name Onyx Owl, a company promoted as Cat Williams’ official merchandise distributor. Officers responded to Burton Lane and found Carroll suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Southaven Police Department issued a careful statement: “Due to this being an active investigation, there is limited information to be released. We can inform that on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, one male victim succumbed to his injuries. The victim has been identified as 52-year-old Reginald Carroll of Maryland. One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder.”

That man is Tarnell (a.k.a. Terrell) Williams.

Who Is Tarnell Williams?

The suspect’s name quickly lit up social media. Whispers swirled that Tarnell wasn’t just any associate but allegedly Cat Williams’ bodyguard and even his cousin. Those claims were later debunked by TMZ, which reported that Tarnell was not related to Cat, nor was the comedian present during the shooting.

Still, the rumors stuck. Tarnell’s name also surfaced in an eviction notice tied to Onyx Owl, the very business where the shooting happened. The letter cited “criminal activity on or about the premise in violation of your lease agreement,” making it clear the violence wasn’t just a tragedy — it had contractual consequences.

Baltimore Reacts: “A No-Fly Zone”

Carroll was born and raised in Baltimore, and the city’s comedy community erupted in grief and anger. Comedian Henry Jones reposted a photo with Carroll and wrote: “This city needs answers quick. Until we get them, it’s a no-fly zone in Baltimore for Red Grant and Cat Williams. Yeah, I got that kind of power, boy.”

The words carried weight. Baltimore’s scene, tight-knit and fiercely loyal, was effectively calling out some of comedy’s biggest touring names and demanding clarity.

Demands for Cat Williams to Speak

While Carroll’s friends mourned, fellow comics turned their eyes to Cat Williams. Why hadn’t he addressed the shooting? Why the silence when one of his former tourmates was killed under suspicious circumstances linked — at least geographically — to his business?

Comedian Billy Sels went public, urging Williams and others to make statements. He specifically called on Carroll’s tourmates Mo’Nique and Red Grant to speak, saying their silence was deafening.

Red Grant Breaks His Silence

On August 25, Red Grant addressed Carroll’s death during his morning show:

“A lot of you guys know that my partner, my brother Reggie Carroll, passed away on Wednesday night. We going to miss you on the tour. We love you. We want to dedicate this show to your brilliance. Condolences to your family, your moms, your brother Rick, and all of Baltimore.”

He later posted on Instagram: “This morning, 10:00 a.m. at Red Grant in the Morning, we honor your life and legacy and dedicate the show to you, King. Rest in the portal. You are missed.”

It was heartfelt — but to some, not enough. The unanswered question remained: What really happened that night?

Mo’Nique and Others Respond

Comedy queen Mo’Nique, who also toured with Carroll, acknowledged his passing on social media. So did comic Zumat Miller. Their tributes praised Carroll’s warmth and humor but offered no insight into the incident itself.

The absence of hard details left fans restless. Was Carroll simply at the wrong place at the wrong time? Or was this shooting tied to deeper disputes within comedy’s touring circuits?

Carroll’s Legacy: From The Parkers to Cat’s Tour

For younger fans, Carroll’s name may not have carried household recognition. But within comedy, he was respected. His credits included appearances on The Parkers in 2000, a run of stand-up specials, and regular performances in Baltimore’s thriving club scene. Most notably, he joined Cat Williams’ touring lineup, bringing his signature blend of sharp wit and streetwise storytelling to national stages.

For Carroll, the tour was both a platform and a pressure cooker — a chance to shine under the shadow of one of comedy’s most unpredictable stars.

The Silence That Screams

If Red Grant offered condolences, and Mo’Nique posted tributes, one voice has remained glaringly absent: Cat Williams himself.

The comedian, notorious for both his brilliance and volatility, has yet to make a statement regarding Carroll’s death. For some fans, silence equals respect. For others, silence equals guilt.

And in an industry where perception often matters as much as reality, that silence may be shaping the narrative more than any official police report.

Theories, Questions, and Conspiracies

The vacuum of information has birthed theories. Some allege the shooting was tied to business disputes at Onyx Owl, with Carroll caught in the crossfire. Others whisper about internal tensions within the tour. A darker thread even suggests Carroll may have known something others didn’t want exposed.

No evidence confirms these claims. Yet in the world of comedy, where rivalries run deep and money flows unevenly, the line between rumor and reality is often blurry.

What Happens Next?

For now, Tarnell Williams sits in custody, charged with murder. The legal process will take time, and police insist the investigation is ongoing. But the court of public opinion is already in session.

Baltimore’s comedians are watching. Carroll’s family is demanding clarity. Fans are left replaying old clips of Carroll’s stand-up, remembering his humor while demanding justice.

A Legacy Interrupted

At 52, Carroll was still a working comic, still hustling gigs, still writing new material. His death isn’t just the loss of a friend to Baltimore or a colleague to the comedy circuit. It’s the loss of a man who believed laughter could be survival — and who brought that survival to stages across America.

In the days since his passing, fans have flooded social media with favorite bits and backstage memories. They remember his booming laugh, his generosity with younger comics, and his refusal to stop grinding even when the spotlight dimmed.

Conclusion: The Show Must Go On, But Answers Must Come First

Comedy is about timing. But in the case of Reggie Carroll, timing was cruel. His final set was cut short not by a heckler, not by a bad crowd, but by gunfire.

And until Cat Williams, Red Grant, and the wider comedy community provide answers, the timing will continue to feel off — like a punchline missing its laugh.

For now, Baltimore grieves, fans demand justice, and the name Reggie Carroll takes on a new weight: not just as a comic, but as a symbol of the questions comedy’s biggest stars can’t afford to ignore.