Cody Adams charged with manslaughter after target practice kills woman

An Oklahoma man faces a first-degree manslaughter charge after authorities say a bullet he fired while practicing shooting in his backyard hit and killed a woman sitting with her family on Christmas Day.

Cody Adams, 33, was charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the shooting, according to court records.

Around 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 25, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting in Stephens County, Oklahoma, where Sandra Phelps was fatally struck while sitting on her porch with a child, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Witnesses told deputies they periodically heard gunshots for several minutes north of the residence, before Phelps said “ouch” and collapsed, the affidavit states. Moments earlier, Phelps reportedly said someone had received a new gun for Christmas.

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The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office says a bullet fired by Cody Adams while he was practicing shooting in his backyard hit and killed a woman on Christmas Day. (Stephens County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators determined the bullet entered Phelps’ upper right arm and traveled into his chest, consistent with a steep downward angle.

A survey of neighboring properties identified a residence without a proper safety net, which was owned by Adams, according to the affidavit.

Adams told deputies he fired a new .45-caliber Glock handgun he bought for Christmas, and he showed police where he shot a Red Bull on the ground in his backyard.

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The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office investigated a Christmas Day shooting that left a woman dead, authorities said. (Stephens County Sheriff’s Office)

The affidavit states that “there was nothing behind his property to prevent bullets from traveling beyond his property and injuring someone.”

Investigators also found spent shell casings and a broken piece of ceramic tile in front of the target, which they believe likely caused the bullet’s trajectory to change, according to the affidavit.

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An Oklahoma man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with a Christmas Day shooting in Stephens County, court records show. (iStock)

Adams later told police he was “sorry” and “visibly upset” after being informed that they believed his bullet caused Phelps’ death.

Adams appeared in court Friday and was released on $100,000 bail, according to court records.