An Oklahoma man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter after his neighbor was fatally shot on Christmas Day. The Stephens County resident, Cody Adams, had been firing a newly-purchased Glock 45 handgun in his backyard and allegedly hit the victim, Sandra Phelps, who was sitting on her porch nearby, according to OKC FOX.
In a statement obtained by OKC FOX, investigators stated they discovered shell casings and a Red Bull can with a small piece of ceramic tile nearby, which may have altered the bullet's trajectory, causing it to strike Phelps. The family of Phelps recalls hearing the gunshots before she suddenly collapsed with a gunshot wound to her upper right arm that entered her chest.
Phelps' fatal injury occurred while she was holding a child and surrounded by family members. "Sandra commented that someone got a new gun for Christmas and then shortly after Sandra said ‘ouch’ and collapsed," detailed the affidavit reported by NBC News. Emergency personnel pronounced Phelps dead during the transport to the hospital.
Adams informed officers that he had been shooting south of his residence and was alone at the time, according to information from The Oklahoman. Upon learning his actions may have led to Phelps' death, Adams "became visibly upset and began to cry." All homes in the vicinity, except for Adams', had substantial backstops which could have prevented such an incident.
A preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for February 25, and Adams is currently out on a $100,000 bond. USA TODAY has reached out to Adams' attorney for comment but has yet to receive a response.
