Cody Wayne Adams Charged After Sandra Phelps Is Fatally Shot While Sitting on Her Porch During His Backyard Target Practice in Comanche, Oklahoma

Cody Wayne Adams, 33, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter after authorities say a bullet he fired during backyard target practice on Christmas Day traveled several blocks and fatally struck Sandra Phelps, an elderly woman who was sitting on her front porch in Comanche, Oklahoma.

According to court records, deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched around 3:15 p.m. on December 25 after receiving reports of a woman who had been shot. Phelps was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Phelps had been sitting on her covered porch with family members when she was struck by a bullet. Family members reported hearing intermittent gunfire coming from a nearby area shortly before she collapsed.

During a neighborhood canvass, authorities identified one property that did not have a safe backstop or barrier to stop bullets from traveling beyond the yard. That residence was later linked to Adams.

Court documents state that Adams told investigators he had been firing a Glock 45 handgun in his backyard after purchasing the firearm for Christmas. Deputies found spent shell casings in his yard and noted that police activity at Phelps’ home was visible from where Adams had been shooting.

Investigators concluded that bullets fired from Adams’ property could have traveled beyond his yard due to the lack of a proper backstop. After being informed of Phelps’ death, Adams reportedly became emotional and later acknowledged firing the weapon in the direction consistent with the fatal shot. According to court records, he apologized during questioning.

Adams was arrested and formally charged with first-degree manslaughter. He appeared in court on December 26, where his bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 26.

The investigation remains ongoing.