Oklahoma
Oklahoma man accused of shooting neighbor dead during Christmas target practice
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.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter after firing the fatal shot, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by ABC News.
The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, was sitting on the front porch with family members at a home on County Road 1800 on Thursday afternoon when she was shot from several blocks away, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
According to the affidavit, the victim was seated on a love seat and holding a baby in her left arm when she was struck in her right upper arm. The bullet then entered her chest cavity.
Family members told the responding deputy that they had heard someone firing five to seven gunshots and that the victim had “commented that someone got a new gun for Christmas” and shortly afterward “said ‘ouch’ and collapsed,” the affidavit stated.
As investigators canvassed nearby properties north of the shooting, deputies found that all but one home had “suitable shooting backstops or firing locations,” according to the affidavit. The only exception was Adams’s home.
Adams allegedly told deputies that he had been shooting a Glock 45 he recently bought for himself for Christmas, using a Red Bull can as a target in his backyard, according to the affidavit.
When a deputy told Adams he suspected the shooting may have caused the woman’s death, Adams “became visibly upset and began to cry,” the affidavit stated.
Adams made his first court appearance Friday. A judge set his bond at $100,000, according to online court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
Oklahoma
One person shot dead after domestic dispute in southwest Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — One person is dead after a domestic dispute led to a shooting in southwest Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Police said officers responded to calls about a shooting at a home in the 3700 block of Stable Court near S Mustang Road and SW 44th St in southwest Oklahoma City Tuesday night.
Police said a fight broke out at the residence and moved into the front yard. The suspect shot the victim, who died at the scene.
OKCPD said the suspected shooter is in custody and investigators are currently working to determine what led to the dispute.
Police were unable to provide any details about the suspect or their relationship to the victim.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Oklahoma
OKC metro community prepares for funeral services for OHP trooper Vernon Brake
Family, friends and fellow Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers will gather in Oklahoma City on Tuesday to honor trooper Vernon Brake, who died in a vehicle crash earlier this month.
Brake served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for nearly two decades and was widely respected as a mentor and leader. Those who knew him described him as a devoted husband and father of two who was deeply involved in his family and community.
Three people, including child and OHP trooper, killed in I-35 crash.
Funeral services for Brake are scheduled for 11 a.m. at Crossings Community Church. The service will include a procession and full honors, including a 21-gun salute.
The crash that killed Brake also claimed the lives of 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne and her 4-year-old daughter, Ariana. Authorities said the fatal incident occurred after Bayne’s vehicle lost control for an unknown reason and crossed the center cable barrier, striking Brake’s vehicle.
36-year-old Mercedes Bayne, who was killed in an I-35 crash along with her 4-year-old daughter, is remembered as a devoted and joyful mother.
A separate tribute ride was held Monday night in honor of Bayne and her daughter. Family members said Mercedes and Ariana will be remembered as the community continues to mourn all three lives lost in the crash.
Friends and family gathered in Oklahoma City for a ride-out and balloon release honoring a mother and her four-year-old daughter killed in a crash on I-35.
Oklahoma
New QB Bowe Bentley Experiencing the ‘Dream’ of Playing at Oklahoma
NORMAN — Even big time college football players had the same dreams fans do when they were growing up.
For Bowe Bentley, prepping for his first Oklahoma Spring Game as a true freshman, the experience feels “surreal.” He described the shift: “… being in the stands watching all the games but being actually able to play on this field in front of a crowd is going to be pretty incredible.”
With spring practice wrapping up — the Sooners have four more sessions scheduled, with the Spring Game sandwiched between them — Bentley has already grabbed the attention of his coaches in a positive way.
Now, he’s focused on putting on a good show for Sooner fans when he gets his number called on Saturday.
“Just be efficient and move the ball, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Bentley said on Monday. “Just being able to operate an offense out here in front of the fans, just show my athletic ability. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
That’s the answer Brent Venables and Ben Arbuckle want to hear. What about the former high school hot shot who daydreamed about wearing the Crimson and Cream? Especially one who left high school early to earn valuable opportunities in spring as an early enrollee.
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“It’s been a dream. I mean, you kind of think about it during the fall. Obviously, graduating early, you’re gonna kind of roll into it. Kind of get prepared through January, February. But once it hits, it’s rolling,” he said.
Typically, when freshmen arrive for their first run of practices, the game feels like it’s going a thousand miles an hour. Everyone on the field was the best player on their high school teams.
Going from a high school playbook to a division-one playbook might be akin to going from reading a Harry Potter book to The Silmarillion.
Bentley, the Celina High School star, was no different in his adjustments to this new speed.
“I think just going from high school to college, understanding the playbook,” Bentley said. “It’s a lot more than what I’m used to, so it also helps me slow down the game. Understand why we run something. See the defense, it makes my checks easier, my reads easier. So I think that’s the biggest thing is just the speed.”
Of course, it doesn’t hurt the young quarterback’s development that he is going against a Venables-led defense every day.
“It kind of humbled me a little bit to be honest. I don’t think I’ve played a defense like that ever. So you’ve kind of got to settle in. I mean they’re the best defense in the SEC, so being able to go against them helps a lot.”
Bentley’s progress as a backup — maybe the backup — has been and will continue to be something to watch. John Mateer is the entrenched starter and Bentley has already learned so much from him. But competition keeps everyone sharp.
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