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Oklahoma woman fatally shot while holding child on Christmas. Authorities say man was doing target practice in his yard
An Oklahoma man who was doing target practice with a recently purchased handgun in his backyard on Christmas Day is accused of shooting and killing a woman seated on a front porch blocks away as she held a child in her arms, authorities said.
The woman, identified as Sandra Phelps, was sitting with family members under a covered front porch at a home in Comanche, about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, on Thursday afternoon when she was struck in her right arm by what appeared to be a single bullet, an affidavit said. Phelps was holding a child in her left arm while seated on a love seat.
The family members told investigators they heard five to seven shots “over several minutes” coming from somewhere north of the home, the affidavit said. Phelps remarked that someone nearby must have gotten “a new gun for Christmas,” according to the filing. Shortly after, she said “‘ouch’ and collapsed.” No additional gunshots were heard.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of first‑degree manslaughter in connection with the shooting, according to court records. He was later released on a $100,000 bond, records show.
The woman, identified as Sandra Phelps, was sitting with family members under a covered front porch at a home in Comanche, about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, on Thursday afternoon when she was struck in her right arm by what appeared to be a single bullet, an affidavit said. Phelps was holding a child in her left arm while seated on a love seat.
The family members told investigators they heard five to seven shots “over several minutes” coming from somewhere north of the home, the affidavit said. Phelps remarked that someone nearby must have gotten “a new gun for Christmas,” according to the filing. Shortly after, she said “‘ouch’ and collapsed.” No additional gunshots were heard.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of first‑degree manslaughter in connection with the shooting, according to court records. He was later released on a $100,000 bond, records show.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/27/us/oklahoma-target-practice-christmas-shooting-hnk
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First responders were dispatched to the home around 3:15 p.m., the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said. Phelps was pronounced dead at the scene soon after, according to the affidavit. Investigators said the bullet, after striking Phelps’ arm, travelled into her chest cavity. No bullet strikes were found on the house, the filing shows.
