On Dec. 25 in Comanche, Oklahoma, 33-year-old Cody Wayne Adams is accused of firing a handgun in his backyard and unintentionally killing Sandra Phelps, who was sitting on a nearby front porch holding a baby. Investigators found spent casings at Adams' property and a broken ceramic tile consistent with bullet strikes; the affidavit describes a high, downward bullet trajectory into Phelps' chest. Adams reportedly admitted to firing a Glock 45 that afternoon, said "I'm sorry," and is charged with first-degree manslaughter. Bond was set at $100,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
Backyard Target Practice Turns Deadly: Man Charged After Stray Bullet Kills Neighbor on Porch
Stephens County Sheriff's OfficeCody Wayne Adams
An Oklahoma man is accused of fatally striking an elderly neighbor with a bullet that investigators say traveled from his backyard while he was doing target practice on Christmas Day.
What Happened
According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, 33-year-old Cody Wayne Adams has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Sandra Phelps. Deputies and emergency personnel from the Stephens County Sheriff's Office were called to a residence in Comanche at about 3:15 p.m. local time on Dec. 25 after reports of a person with a gunshot wound.
Family members told investigators that Phelps was seated on a covered front porch holding a baby in her left arm and talking with relatives when she was struck by a bullet. The affidavit says the round hit her first in the arm and then entered her chest. Phelps was pronounced dead at the scene.
Stephens County Sheriff's OfficeCody Wayne Adams
Evidence and Investigation
Witnesses reported hearing several rounds from the north of the residence over a period of minutes. A neighbor later told investigators that Adams had received a handgun as a Christmas gift and had been heard firing about 20 rounds that afternoon.
When deputies went to Adams' home, he reportedly said he had been shooting a Glock 45 at a Red Bull can in his backyard — a firearm he had recently purchased for himself. Officers found multiple spent shell casings in Adams' yard, and flashing police lights from the Phelps home were visible from the location where he had been shooting.
Stephens County Sheriff's Office Captain Timothy Vann wrote in the probable cause affidavit that investigators found a small piece of ceramic tile that appeared to have been struck and broken by bullets. The affidavit says that evidence, together with the shooter's angle, would account for the high, downward entry into Phelps' chest cavity.
Google MapsThe 282000 block of County Road 1800, where the shooting took place.
The group heard someone shooting periodically 5–7 rounds over several minutes to the north of the residence. Sandra commented that someone got a new gun for Christmas, and then shortly after Sandra said 'ouch' and collapsed. There were no further gunshots after this.
According to the affidavit, investigators informed Adams that they suspected his gunfire may have caused Phelps' death. He reportedly became visibly upset, cried, and later admitted to firing his Glock southward from his property that afternoon. When asked if he had anything to say after acknowledging he believed he had caused her death, he replied, 'I'm sorry.'
Charges and Court
Adams was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter. He appeared in court on Dec. 26, where his bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26, according to court records.
This investigation highlights the potential dangers of discharging firearms in residential areas without adequate backstops or safety precautions.
