Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Ole Miss Freshman

A community comes together to honor a young athlete's memory.

News Summary

Corey Adams, an 18-year-old football player at Ole Miss, was shot and killed during a pool party in Cordova, Tennessee, with multiple others injured. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, which is classified as a homicide. Adams was a promising athlete from New Orleans and had recently begun his college football career. The Ole Miss community mourns his loss, reflecting on the impact of gun violence on youth.

Cordova, Tennessee – Corey Adams, an 18-year-old freshman defensive lineman for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), was shot and killed on July 19 during a late-night pool party in Cordova, a suburb near Memphis, Tennessee. The incident occurred around 10:14 p.m. outside a residence on Fern Glade Cove, where approximately 100 people were reportedly in attendance.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as a homicide and is currently investigating the shooting. At this time, no arrests have been made. Following the shooting, Adams was found unresponsive in a vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite deputies’ attempts to save his life. In addition, four other male attendees suffered gunshot wounds and have since been transported to local hospitals. Their conditions are stable, although their identities have not been disclosed.

Adams was regarded as a promising football talent, having been a three-star recruit from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans. During his high school career, he received accolades as a two-time all-state selection and played a significant role in helping his team secure a state championship. Before signing with Ole Miss, Adams had received offers from 17 other schools, including major programs such as USC, Louisiana State, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State.

After enrolling at Ole Miss in January, Adams participated in spring football practice, sharing his experiences on social media platforms, including Instagram. His college football career was just beginning when his life was tragically cut short. The Karr Cougar Football account, representing his former high school team, released a statement on social media expressing their heartbreak and mourning over Adams’s untimely passing.

Adams’s mother, Chantrel Bernhart, spoke publicly about her son’s dreams and aspirations, emphasizing his commitment to pursuing a career in professional football. She shared a heartfelt birthday message from Adams just days before his death, demonstrating the close bond they shared. Bernhart highlighted that her son was not involved in any wrongdoing during the party at which he was shot, shedding light on the context surrounding the tragic event.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, over 40 shell casings from both rifles and pistols were recovered from the scene, indicating a chaotic and violent situation occurred at the party. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to uncover more details regarding the incident.

The Ole Miss football program expressed its devastation over Adams’s passing, underscoring the profound impact his loss will have on the team and the community. The university has called for respect for the family’s privacy as they navigate this incredibly difficult time, emphasizing their mourning alongside the family and friends impacted by the tragedy.

This incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by young athletes and the broader issues surrounding gun violence in communities. The community in New Orleans, where Adams had achieved significant success in high school football, is also grieving the loss of a young talent who had the potential to contribute positively to the world of sports.

As investigations continue into the shooting, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Corey Adams, a young man whose future in football was filled with promise and potential.