Updated: Arrest made in Christmas Day shooting

A Stephens County man was arrested Christmas Day after investigators say gunfire from his backyard struck and killed a woman sitting on a nearby porch, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Capt. Timothy Vann said deputies were dispatched at 3:34 p.m. Dec. 25 to a reported shooting at a home on East 1800 Road in Comanche. When Vann arrived six minutes later, family members and first responders were performing CPR on Sandra “Sandi” Phelps. Survival Flight personnel pronounced her dead at 3:53 p.m.

Witnesses told deputies that Phelps had been sitting on a covered front porch with relatives when they heard someone firing 5–7 rounds periodically from the north. Phelps reportedly remarked that “someone got a new gun for Christmas” moments before saying “ouch” and collapsing. No additional gunfire was heard after that.

Phelps appeared to have a single gunshot wound that entered her right upper arm and traveled into her chest at a steep downward angle, Vann wrote in the affidavit. No bullet impacts were found on the home.

Deputies canvassed the area with assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Duncan Police Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Several nearby residences known for recreational shooting were checked and cleared—except one on East Oliver Drive.

Deputies were told that the resident, Cody Wayne Adams, had recently purchased a Glock .45‑caliber handgun for Christmas and had been heard firing about 20 rounds that afternoon. When contacted, Adams told deputies he had been shooting at a Red Bull can in his backyard.

Vann said he observed spent casings on Adams’ deck and yard, as well as a broken piece of ceramic tile near the target area that appeared to have been struck by bullets. From Adams’ shooting position, emergency vehicle lights at the Phelps residence were visible in line with the firing angle, according to the affidavit.

After being told a woman had been killed, Adams became visibly upset and cried, Vann wrote. Adams consented to a search of his property, and deputies recovered the Glock handgun from under a mattress. The magazine contained .45‑caliber ammunition.

Adams later agreed to an interview at the sheriff’s office with his attorney present. He told investigators he had fired two magazines—one with about eight rounds and another with about 10—using Winchester .45‑caliber ammunition. He said he was shooting south from his backyard in daylight and that no one else was present.

Vann said he informed Adams that evidence indicated one of his rounds struck and killed Phelps. Adams responded, “I’m sorry,” according to the affidavit.

Adams was arrested at 7:20 p.m. on a complaint of first‑degree manslaughter. He was released on bond.

In Oklahoma, a first-degree manslaughter charge carries a penalty of four years to life in prison and the individual must serve 85 percent of the sentence before they become eligible for parole.

A press conference about the shooting will be held at the sheriff’s office on Friday.