The tragic death of 18-year-old Corey Adams, a former Edna Karr student and star athlete, has left his community in grief after he was shot and killed in Cordova, Tennessee.
Corey Adams, 18, was shot and killed Saturday night in Cordova, Tennessee. Adams, known as number 20, was found inside a car after leaving a pool party at a home about 30 minutes away from Memphis.
“On his time off, he just wanted to enjoy himself,” Adams’ mother said. “He got to the pool party and the party was over. Ten minutes. He walked back to the car and was killed.”
Jamar Mckneely, ceo of InspireNola told WDSU, “You never thought Corey would be the one to fall victim.”
Mckneely says that Adams was a bystander at the party, there to have fun with friends, including other football players, as they prepared to leave. “He was not there on any ill will, he was not there doing anything negative,”McNneely said.
The shooting involved roughly 40 rounds fired between a rifle and pistol, and four other men, also football players, were shot alongside Adams.
“He was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time,” the mother said.
Leaders from Edna Karr High School and Inspire NOLA described Adams as a player with immense promise. He was the captain of the football team, a defensive player of the year, and a two-time All-State football player.
“My son was my all. He didn’t deserve this. He wasn’t in the street. Wasn’t selling drugs,” his mother said. “He wasn’t doing anything besides pursuing his dream of becoming an NFL player.”
Adams graduated in May and had recently returned to Karr for their championship ring ceremony.
Adams was weeks away from attending fall camp at Ole Miss, where he was set to continue his football career.
“I didn’t get to see him fufill his dreams. I am begging somebody to please come forth and help,” his mother pleaded.
Principal Dr. Tomika Washington calling for support, “What we want to do is just ask the community to continue to support, rally around nonviolence and just rally around supporting our young people to just experience life to the fullest.”
A memorial is being planned with the school, the details are to be determined.
READ MORE:Edna Karr School leaders say football player was remarkable with a promising future
