What began as a day of family traditions and seasonal calm unraveled into violence in multiple states, as shootings tied to Christmas Day left several families torn apart just hours after the holiday ended.
In rural Oklahoma, authorities say a backyard target practice session ended with a fatal outcome for a woman sitting with her family on Christmas afternoon.
Stephens County investigators allege that a bullet fired by a nearby resident traveled beyond his property line and struck Sandra Phelps as she sat on her front porch holding a child.
Court records show that Cody Adams, 33, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the shooting.
Deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched around 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 25 after receiving reports of a shooting at a residence in the county.
According to a probable cause affidavit, witnesses told deputies they had been hearing gunfire coming from the north of the home for several minutes before the moment turned tragic.
As the shots continued intermittently, Phelps was heard saying “ouch” before collapsing, the affidavit states.
She had allegedly just remarked that someone nearby must have received a new gun for Christmas.
Authorities determined that the bullet entered Phelps’ upper right arm and continued into her chest.
The trajectory was described as consistent with a steep downward angle, suggesting the round had traveled some distance before striking her.
Deputies canvassed nearby properties in an effort to determine the source of the gunfire.
According to the affidavit, one residence stood out during that search. Investigators identified Adams’ property as lacking a proper backstop that would have prevented bullets from traveling beyond the yard.
When questioned, Adams told deputies that he had been firing a new Glock .45-caliber handgun that he had purchased for himself as a Christmas gift.
He reportedly showed investigators where he had been shooting in his backyard, using a Red Bull can placed on the ground as a target.
The affidavit notes that “there was nothing behind his property to stop any bullets from traveling beyond his property and hurting someone.”
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Deputies also located spent shell casings and a fragment of broken ceramic tile positioned in front of the target.
Investigators believe the tile may have caused the bullet to ricochet or change direction, contributing to the fatal strike.
After being informed that authorities believed one of his bullets had killed Phelps, Adams told deputies he was “sorry” and “became visibly upset,” according to the affidavit.
He appeared in court on Friday and was released on a $100,000 bond, court records show. His next court date is February 25th.
Hundreds of miles away in Florida, Christmas Day violence claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl after a shooting inside a home in Orange County.
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to a residence in the 2200 block of Okada Court following reports that someone had been shot.
The victim, identified as 13-year-old Emony Nicole Jackson, was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators said a 15-year-old approached deputies at the scene and admitted that he was responsible for the shooting, telling authorities that it was an accident.
Another Christmas Day shooting unfolded outside a restaurant elsewhere in Florida, where a mother allegedly fired a gun at her own son following an argument during a holiday brunch.
According to an arrest report obtained by WPLG, the incident occurred around 3 p.m. outside a Red Rooster restaurant.
First responders arrived to find a man of undisclosed age suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh.
He was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition, according to the report.
The victim told authorities that he and his mother, identified as 50-year-old Roseita Lavette Smith, had gone to the restaurant together for brunch.
During the meal, Smith allegedly became irritated, accusing her son of being “disrespectful” toward her and other relatives.
The argument continued into the parking lot, where both entered Smith’s vehicle.
According to the report, the dispute escalated further once they exited the car. Smith allegedly fired a single shot at her son and then fled the scene.
Smith was later located and taken into custody. She told police that she acted in self-defense, claiming her son had threatened to assault her if she did not exit the vehicle.
She also told investigators that her fear stemmed from what she described as past behavior by her son.
In Pennsylvania, the day after Christmas brought another violent episode, this time involving a teenager accused of shooting both of his parents.
Pennsylvania State Police said officers were dispatched around 1:58 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26 to a home on Garrison Road in Freeport Township.
When troopers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a hospital in Morgantown, W.V., where she later died.
An adult male victim, also suffering from a gunshot wound, was found at the home and taken to the same hospital. He was later released in stable condition, police said.
Investigators determined the two victims were husband and wife. Their son, identified by state police as 18-year-old Jarrod Noll, was named as the alleged shooter.
Following the shooting, Noll fled the scene on foot. “An extensive search of the surrounding area was conducted; however, the suspect was not located at that time,” state police said.
Authorities warned the public that the suspect “may be armed and dangerous” and advised residents not to approach him if seen.
A multi-agency manhunt followed, stretching across state lines. In an update on Saturday, Dec. 27, state police announced that Noll had been taken into custody by the West Virginia State Police “without incident.”
“We used tracking dogs, we used helicopters, and we used police on foot searching rough terrain,” PSP Sergeant Richard Sizer said, according to CBS News.
“Obviously, when you have someone on the run with a homicide warrant, on the run with a gun, it is a huge danger to the community,” Sizer added.
State police said Noll’s younger siblings were inside the home at the time of the shooting, though the gunfire itself occurred outside. The children have since been placed in the care of a family member.
Noll remains in custody in West Virginia while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
Authorities said he has been charged with homicide and attempted homicide.
