The investigation into the July 19 shooting death of Ole Miss football player Corey Adams is ongoing, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Anthony Buckner said in a news conference July 21.
New details from that night were revealed in Buckner’s update.
Adams, 18, who died from a gunshot wound, was at a pool party with about 100 attendees in Cordova, Tennessee, a suburb east of Memphis, Buckner said. More than 40 rifle and pistol shell casings were found at the scene.
Buckner said there is believed to be “one or more suspects,” but no arrests have been made as of July 21.
Adams was a defensive end from New Orleans who enrolled early at Ole Miss as a three-star recruit in the 2025 class.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a post on X on July 20 that police were investigating a shooting that took place at 10:14 p.m. CT July 19 outside a residence on Fern Glade Cove. Police stopped a vehicle nearby at the intersection of Forest Hill-Irene and Walnut Grove roads, where Adams was found. Life-saving measures were provided, but Adams was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four other adult males arrived at hospitals via personal vehicles and were listed in non-critical condition. Three of the four victims have been released from the hospital, Buckner said. The identities of the four men were not revealed.
Buckner said authorities responded to a noise complaint at the residence earlier in the day, but investigators haven’t uncovered what led to the shooting.
“For the more than 100 people who attended this pool party, I truly believe that somebody heard something, somebody saw something,” Buckner said. “We need you to step up. We need you to call us. We need you to call CrimeStoppers.”
Adams’ mother, Chantrel Bernhart, also spoke at the news conference. She said Adams was at the pool party for 10 minutes before he was shot.
“He was just coming down here to enjoy himself on his day off practice,” Bernhart said. “He didn’t deserve to die. I’m asking for anybody who has any information to help.”
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said anyone with information is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 528-CASH or 901-222-5600.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
