A May 17, 2025 gathering at the Avondale Apartments in Hernando, Mississippi, ended with the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Orenzo Lynn Odom after an argument between him and another man escalated into a physical fight. First responders treated Odom at the scene and he was taken to Baptist-DeSoto hospital in Southaven, where he died of his injuries. Authorities say the shooting was not gang-related but grew out of an ongoing personal conflict between Odom and the alleged shooter.

Witnesses at the apartment complex gave a suspect description that prompted a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving the area. Two Hernando residents, 49-year-old Edrick Thornton and 35-year-old Keshay Jones, were in the vehicle and a firearm was recovered. Thornton has been charged with first-degree murder; Jones faces charges of accessory after the fact and tampering with physical evidence, accused of attempting to hide the handgun. Thornton is being held on a $1 million bond; Jones posted bond and was released.

The District Attorney’s office has asked more of the nearly 50 people who were at the party to come forward with information to assist prosecution. If anyone at the Avondale Apartments that night has details that could help, please share them with investigators.