What began as Christmas Day target practice in an Oklahoma neighborhood ended in tragedy when a stray bullet fatally struck an elderly woman as she sat on her front porch holding a baby.
Authorities have charged Cody Wayne Adams (33) with first-degree manslaughter, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by ABC News.
Victim Struck While Sitting on Porch
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon along County Road 1800 in Stephens County, officials said. The victim, whose name has not been released, was sitting on a love seat on her front porch with family members when she was struck by a bullet fired from several blocks away, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents state that the woman was holding a baby in her left arm when the bullet struck her right upper arm, then entered her chest cavity. She collapsed shortly after being hit and later died from her injuries.
“Someone Got a New Gun for Christmas”
Family members told responding deputies they had heard five to seven gunshots before the incident. According to the affidavit, the victim reportedly commented that “someone got a new gun for Christmas” moments before she was struck.
Shortly afterward, she said “ouch” and collapsed, the affidavit states.
Investigation Leads to Neighbor’s Home
As investigators canvassed nearby properties north of the shooting, deputies found that all but one home had proper shooting backstops or safe firing locations. The only exception was Adams’s residence, according to authorities.
Adams allegedly admitted to deputies that he had been firing a Glock 45 handgun, which he had recently purchased as a Christmas gift for himself. He told investigators he was shooting at a Red Bull can in his backyard.
When a deputy informed Adams that the shooting may have caused the woman’s death, Adams reportedly became visibly upset and began crying, the affidavit states.
Court Appearance and Charges
Adams made his first court appearance on Friday, where a judge set his bond at $100,000, according to online court records. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on February 26, 2026.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
A Tragic Reminder
The case has sparked renewed conversations around gun safety, especially in residential areas. Officials have not released further details about the victim but confirmed that she was surrounded by family at the time of the shooting, including a young child who was unharmed.
