Cody Adams charged with manslaughter after target practice kills woman
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An Oklahoma man faces first-degree murder charges after authorities say a bullet he fired while practicing target practice in his backyard struck and killed a woman sitting with her family on Christmas Day.
Court records show 33-year-old Cody Adams has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Around 3:15 p.m., Dec. 25, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting in Stephens County, Oklahoma, where Sandra Phelps was fatally shot while sitting on her front porch holding a child, according to probable cause.
Witnesses told deputies they heard gunshots periodically north of the residence for several minutes before Phelps said “ouch” and collapsed to the ground, the affidavit said. Moments earlier, Phelps had allegedly commented that someone had gotten a new gun for Christmas.
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The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said a bullet fired by Cody Adams while he was practicing target practice in his backyard struck and killed a woman on Christmas Day. (Stephens County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators determined that the bullet entered Phelps’ upper right arm and traveled toward his chest, consistent with a steep downward angle.
An inspection of nearby properties determined that a residence without a suitable shooting backstop was owned by Adams, according to the affidavit.
Adams told deputies he was shooting with a new Glock .45-caliber handgun he bought for himself for Christmas and showed police where he shot at a Red Bull on the ground in his backyard.
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The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Christmas Day shooting that left a woman dead, authorities said. (Stephens County Sheriff’s Office)
The affidavit states there is “nothing behind his property that would prevent any bullet from traveling off his property and harming someone.”
Investigators also found spent bullet casings and a piece of broken ceramic tile in front of the target, according to the affidavit; They said this probably caused the bullet’s trajectory to change.
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An Oklahoma man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a Christmas Day shooting in Stephens County, according to court records. (iStock)
Adams later told police he was “sorry” and “visibly upset” after being told they believed Phelps’ death was caused by his own gunshot.
Adams appeared in court Friday and was released on $100,000 bail, according to court records.
