A tragic Christmas Day incident in Oklahoma has left an elderly woman dead and a local man facing serious criminal charges after what authorities say was a backyard target practice session gone wrong.
According to court records, 33-year-old Cody Wayne Adams has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Sandra Phelps.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and emergency responders were called to a home in Comanche around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25, after receiving reports that a person had been shot.
Court documents state Phelps was sitting on her covered front porch holding a baby in her left arm while talking with family members when she was struck by a bullet. The round reportedly hit her arm before entering her chest.
According to a probable cause affidavit, family members said they had heard gunfire coming from the north, with bursts of five to seven shots fired over several minutes. Phelps allegedly commented that someone nearby must have received a new gun for Christmas. Moments later, she reportedly said “ouch” and collapsed. No additional gunshots were heard after that.
Investigators said Phelps was struck in the upper right arm, and the bullet then traveled into her chest cavity at what they described as an extremely downward angle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies canvassing the area noted that while many nearby homes had proper backstops or safe firing locations, one residence did not. A neighbor later told investigators that Adams had received a new handgun for Christmas and had been heard firing roughly 20 rounds that afternoon.
When investigators went to Adams’ home, he allegedly told them he had been shooting a Glock 45 at a Red Bull can in his backyard. Authorities reported finding multiple spent shell casings in the yard and noted that flashing police lights from Phelps’ home were visible from the location where Adams had been firing.
According to the affidavit, investigators also found a broken piece of ceramic tile that appeared to have been struck by gunfire, which they said could explain the bullet’s trajectory.
Captain Timothy Vann of the sheriff’s office wrote that Adams had no barrier behind his property capable of stopping bullets from traveling beyond his yard and potentially injuring someone.
When investigators informed Adams that they believed he had caused Phelps’ death, he reportedly became visibly upset and began crying. During a later interview, Adams allegedly admitted he had been firing his gun southward from his residence. When told again that authorities believed he was responsible for the fatal shot, Adams reportedly said, “I’m sorry.”
Adams was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter. He appeared in court on Friday, Dec. 26, where a judge set his bond at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Stupid decision has consequences