DA’s office updates Odom murder case

June 4, 2025 – A common phrase you’ve likely heard lately is, “If you see something, say something.” That is about what District Attorney Matthew Barton is saying to those who were at a Hernando apartment complex May 17 when 41-year-old Orenzo Lynn Odom was shot and later died. 

Barton said at a late morning news conference on Wednesday he is asking for help from the public as his office makes a case against accused shooter Edrick Thornton, age 49 of Hernando, who has been charged with first degree murder.

A case is also being developed against Keshay Jones, age 35 also of Hernando, accused of accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence, that being the firearm that shot Odom. Barton said Jones tried to hide the gun, but it was recovered, so her involvement is related to that.  

Odom was shot during the gathering at the Avondale Apartments in Hernando the evening of May 17. A party was going on when Thornton allegedly approached Odom and fired.

Hernando police stopped Thornton and Jones a short time after the incident during a traffic stop and they were taken into custody. Odom was taken to Baptist-DeSoto in Southaven, where he later died. 

Barton said the incident was the culmination of an ongoing dispute between shooter and victim. It was not a gang-related incident.  

“This was not indicative of a crime problem, necessarily,” Barton said. “This was two people that knew each other and one had, at least in his own mind, a reason to be upset with the other. That conflict escalated, tragically, resulting in death.”

The district attorney said there were upwards of 50 people who were at the party when the shooting took place. Several stayed on the scene when the 911 call was made for Odom and first responders arrived on the scene.  Barton would like more of those people to step forward and relate to them what happened.  

“We do have witnesses already, but we believe there were more witnesses there than have actually made statements with the police,” Barton explained. “We know that going to talk to the police is hard. It’s a little scary.”

Thornton requested a preliminary hearing in the case, which was scheduled for Wednesday morning. However, he waived his hearing and remains in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center on $1 million bond. Jones bonded out shortly after she was arrested.  

Another reason Barton asked for the news gathering Wednesday morning was to be as transparent about the case as possible.  

“There’s families involved and so it’s uncomfortable when you’re saying something that might put someone off, that you care about as well,” Barton said. “It’s a challenging dynamic to be in, and it’s just hard, and that’s why I’m just really asking nicely to please come forward if you have that information.”

If you have any information, you are asked to contact the District Attorney’s Office.