US man charged after backyard shooting practice allegedly kills woman blocks away

December 30, 2025

A 33-year-old Oklahoma man faces first-degree manslaughter charges after a bullet he fired while testing his new Christmas handgun traveled approximately half a mile and killed a woman sitting on her porch. Sandra Phelps was holding a child when she was struck in the upper arm by a stray bullet that entered her chest cavity, causing her death within twenty minutes. Cody Wayne Adams had been shooting at a can in his backyard without any barrier to stop bullets from traveling beyond his property.

Who is affected

Sandra Phelps (the victim who was killed)
The child being held by Ms. Phelps at the time of the shooting
Cody Wayne Adams (the shooter facing criminal charges)
Ms. Phelps' family members
Neighbors and residents in the surrounding area

What action is being taken

Cody Wayne Adams has been charged with first-degree manslaughter
Adams is subject to a court order prohibiting contact with the victim's family
Adams has been released on $100,000 bond

Why it matters

This case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless firearm use in residential areas and the legal responsibility gun owners have for ensuring safe shooting practices. The incident demonstrates how bullets can travel significant distances beyond intended targets, putting innocent bystanders at fatal risk even from half a mile away. The first-degree manslaughter charge, which carries a potential life sentence, sends a message about criminal accountability when firearm negligence results in death.

What's next

Adams is scheduled to appear in court on 25 February.

Read full article from source: BBC