The fatal shooting of Sandra Phelps in Comanche, Oklahoma, on Christmas Day has drawn national attention to the dangers of improper firearm use in residential areas and the legal responsibilities that accompany gun ownership. What began as a quiet holiday afternoon ended in tragedy when a stray bullet, allegedly fired during backyard target practice, struck and killed the elderly woman as she sat on her covered front porch holding a child. Authorities say the incident underscores how quickly recreational gun use can turn deadly when safety precautions are ignored, even at distances measured in blocks rather than feet.
According to court filings and investigative affidavits, the shooting occurred on Thursday afternoon when Phelps was seated on a love seat under her porch with family members. She was holding a baby in her left arm when a bullet struck her right upper arm, traveled into her chest cavity, and caused fatal injuries. First responders were dispatched to the home around 3:15 p.m., but Phelps was pronounced dead shortly after. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office initially described the victim only as an elderly woman, later identifying her as Sandra Phelps as more information became public through court records and media reporting.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, who lived approximately 0.3 miles from the residence where Phelps was killed, was arrested later that evening and charged with first-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that Adams’ conduct with a firearm created an unreasonable risk of death or great bodily harm and demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety of others. Cody Wayne Adams has since been released on a $100,000 bond, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for late February.
Events Leading to the Fatal Shooting
Investigators pieced together a detailed timeline of events based on witness statements, physical evidence, and Adams’ own admissions. Family members present with Phelps told deputies they heard between five and seven gunshots over several minutes coming from somewhere north of the residence. The sounds were distinct enough that Phelps reportedly commented that someone nearby must have received a new gun for Christmas. Moments later, she reportedly said “ouch” and collapsed. No additional shots were heard after that point.
Law enforcement officers canvassed the surrounding neighborhood in the hours following the shooting, looking for potential sources of gunfire. According to the probable cause affidavit, all nearby properties except one had suitable backstops or firing locations designed to safely stop bullets. That exception was the home of Cody Wayne Adams. Deputies also received information that Adams had recently received a Glock 45 handgun for Christmas and that neighbors had heard him firing approximately 20 rounds that afternoon.
When deputies went to Cody Wayne Adams’ residence, they found spent shell casings on the ground and on a deck in his backyard, as well as a Red Bull can lying south of the house. Adams allegedly told deputies he had been shooting at the can during backyard target practice. From the spot where Adams said he had been firing, investigators noted that the red and blue emergency lights from the scene of Phelps’ shooting were visible and aligned with the shooting angle, reinforcing the theory that a bullet fired from Adams’ property could have traveled the distance and struck the victim.
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Cody Wayne Adams reportedly became visibly upset and began crying when deputies told him they suspected his shooting might have caused the woman’s death. According to the affidavit, a deputy explained that while Adams may have been aiming toward the ground, there was nothing behind his property to stop bullets from traveling beyond his yard. Later, after being advised of his Miranda rights during an interview at the sheriff’s office, Adams allegedly acknowledged firing multiple rounds southward from his residence. He told investigators the Glock handgun had been loaded with two magazines containing approximately eight and then 10 rounds of Winchester .45 caliber ammunition.
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The affidavit states that no bullet strikes were found on the exterior of the Phelps residence, indicating that the projectile likely traveled directly to the porch area without hitting the house itself. Investigators concluded that the single bullet that struck Phelps was consistent with the gunfire reported from Cody Wayne Adams’ property.
Criminal Charges and Legal Standards
Cody Wayne Adams has been charged with first-degree manslaughter under Oklahoma law, a serious felony offense that does not require proof of intent to kill but does require evidence of reckless or dangerous conduct resulting in death. The charging document alleges that Adams caused Sandra Phelps’ death by engaging in firearm use that created an unreasonable risk and probability of death or great bodily harm, and that his actions demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety of others.
In Oklahoma, first-degree manslaughter can be charged in cases where a death results from conduct that is imminently dangerous and evinces a depraved mind, regardless of intent to kill. Prosecutors often rely on factors such as the type of weapon used, the manner in which it was handled, the environment in which it was discharged, and the foreseeable risk to others. Firing a high-caliber handgun in a residential area without a proper backstop can meet that threshold, particularly when homes and people are located within the potential range of a bullet.
During his initial court appearance, Adams’ bond was set at $100,000. He was later released after posting bond, according to online court records. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. At that hearing, prosecutors are expected to present testimony and evidence outlining the chain of events, ballistic considerations, and Adams’ alleged admissions. Defense attorneys will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and argue whether the state has met its burden at this early stage.
Neither Cody Wayne Adams nor his attorney has publicly commented on the case. Media outlets, including ABC News and CNN, reported that attempts to reach Adams’ legal representation for comment were unsuccessful. As with all criminal cases, Adams is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Broader Implications for Firearm Safety and Community Risk
The death of Sandra Phelps has prompted renewed discussion about firearm safety, particularly in residential settings where the margin for error is minimal. Handguns such as the Glock 45 are capable of firing bullets over long distances, especially when discharged without a proper backstop. Even rounds aimed toward the ground can ricochet or travel unpredictably, posing serious risks to people far beyond the shooter’s immediate vicinity.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that responsible gun ownership includes understanding the ballistic capabilities of a firearm and ensuring that every shot fired has a safe and secure backstop capable of stopping the bullet. In rural or semi-rural areas, some residents may believe backyard target practice is safe or customary, but investigators in this case highlighted that most neighboring properties had established shooting backstops or designated firing locations designed to prevent stray rounds.
The circumstances of this case also underscore how unintended victims can be harmed during routine, non-confrontational activities. Phelps was not involved in any dispute, nor was she near the shooter’s property. She was sitting peacefully with family members, holding a child, when she was struck. The randomness of the incident has been particularly troubling to the local community and to observers nationwide, reinforcing concerns about how quickly ordinary settings can become deadly when firearms are mishandled.
While Oklahoma law allows firearm ownership and, in some contexts, recreational shooting, those rights are balanced by legal obligations to avoid endangering others. Prosecutors will likely argue that Adams’ failure to ensure a safe shooting environment constituted reckless behavior. The defense may attempt to counter that the shooting was accidental and lacked criminal intent, though intent is not a required element for first-degree manslaughter under the statute cited in the charging document.
The case remains under investigation as it moves through the judicial process. For the family of Sandra Phelps, the legal proceedings represent one step in seeking accountability for a loss that occurred in an instant but will resonate indefinitely. For the broader public, the incident serves as a stark reminder that firearms demand constant caution, awareness, and respect for the safety of everyone beyond the shooter’s line of sight.
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