An Oklahoma man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter after a stray bullet fired from his backyard allegedly killed a woman sitting several blocks away. The incident occurred on Christmas Day, when Sandra Phelps was fatally struck while holding a child on her porch, according to the Stephens County sheriff’s affidavit.

The Incident

Authorities say that Cody Wayne Adams, 33, had recently purchased a Glock .45-caliber handgun as a Christmas gift for himself. He was allegedly shooting at a drink can in his backyard, approximately half a mile (0.8 km) from Ms. Phelps’ home, when the bullet traveled beyond his property.

Witnesses told deputies that Ms. Phelps reacted to the gunshots, saying “ouch,” before collapsing. She was hit in the upper right arm, with the bullet entering her chest cavity while holding a child in her left arm. Emergency responders pronounced her dead about 20 minutes after the call was received.

Stephens County Sheriff’s Captain Timothy Vann wrote in the affidavit that Adams became visibly upset and began to cry when confronted about the shooting. The affidavit also noted that he had shot toward the ground without any barriers behind his property, which allowed the bullet to travel beyond his backyard and strike Ms. Phelps.

Legal Charges and Consequences

Cody Wayne Adams was booked into jail on 26 December but later released on a $100,000 (£74,000) bond, according to court records. He has been charged under Oklahoma law for first-degree manslaughter, which covers homicides occurring without intent to kill but while committing a misdemeanor.

The alleged misdemeanor in this case involves engaging in conduct with a firearm that demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety of others. First-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Adams is scheduled to appear in court on 25 February and has been ordered not to contact the victim’s family.

Context: US Gun Violence

This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns over gun safety and accidental shootings in the United States, especially in residential areas where firearms are discharged without sufficient precautions. Experts continue to advocate for secure firearm handling and awareness of the risks associated with backyard shooting.