A 33-year-old Oklahoma man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter after a woman was fatally shot while he was conducting target practice in his back garden on Christmas Day.
Deadly Consequences of Unsafe Shooting
Cody Wayne Adams was allegedly firing a handgun, a Christmas present to himself, at a Red Bull energy drink can. The incident occurred in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Authorities state his garden lacked a proper backstop to contain the bullets, with one round travelling several blocks before striking Sandra Phelps, who was sitting on a covered porch with family.
According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by NBC News, Phelps was holding a child when the group heard gunshots. She reportedly commented, "someone got a new gun for Christmas," before saying "ouch" and collapsing. No further shots were fired after that moment.
Investigation and Arrest
Emergency services were called to Phelps's address at approximately 3:15 pm on Thursday, 25 December. The Stephens County Sheriff's Office later received information suggesting a nearby resident had been target practising. Investigators subsequently visited the home of Cody Adams.
Adams confirmed to deputies that he had been shooting at a target in his garden and had heard someone had died from a gunshot wound a short distance away. Authorities determined the trajectory from his shooting position aligned with the fatal bullet's path.
The affidavit notes that Adams "became visibly upset and began to cry" upon learning of Phelps's death. He was arrested on a count of first-degree manslaughter and later released after posting a $100,000 bond.
A Broader Context on Accidental Gun Deaths
This tragic case highlights the potentially lethal consequences of unsafe firearm use. While unintentional firearm deaths represent a minority of gun-related fatalities in the United States, their rate is four times higher than in other comparable nations, with handguns frequently involved.
The incident underscores critical questions about firearm safety and responsibility, particularly regarding the necessary precautions for discharging weapons in residential areas.
