Cody Wayne Adams, 33, faces first-degree manslaughter charges after allegedly shooting and killing an elderly woman while target practicing with a new Glock 45 pistol in his backyard on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, in rural Stephens County, Oklahoma. The victim was sitting on a covered front porch at a home on County Road 1800, holding a baby, when she remarked on nearby gunshots from a “new gun for Christmas” before collapsing from a bullet wound to her right upper arm and chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene around 3:15 p.m., with no other injuries reported.
Incident Circumstances
The woman was on a love seat with family when shots rang out; deputies traced them to Adams after a tip about backyard target practice at a Red Bull can, involving about 20 rounds. Adams confirmed firing toward the ground but acknowledged no backstop existed, allowing bullets to travel unchecked across properties.
Arrest and Response
Arrested around 7:30 p.m., Adams became visibly upset and cried upon learning his actions likely caused the death, per the probable cause affidavit. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office announced charges on Christmas, emphasizing the preventable tragedy from irresponsible shooting in a populated rural area.
