Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

OK Man Kill-Shots Cancer-Surviving Granny While "Testing Out" New Christmas Glock

Episode Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Nancy and her correspondents cover some of the day’s most shocking cases:

• The tragic shooting death of Sandra Phelps, a cancer-surviving grandmother in Oklahoma, by her neighbor's stray bullet during Christmas target practice.
• A chilling New Year’s Eve murder in Maryland, involving international flight, police deception, and a financial dispute.
• A bizarre police chase featuring a suspect fleeing in a golf cart, resulting in a comical but effective "fairway" apprehension.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oklahoma Grandmother Fatally Shot During Christmas Target Practice

[00:06–03:38]

• Incident Details:
  • Sandra Phelps, a five-time cancer survivor affectionately known as "nanny," was shot and killed while sitting on her porch with her infant grandchild.
  • The shooter, 33-year-old Cody Wayne Adams, was testing out a new Glock .45 handgun — received as a Christmas gift — by taking shots at a Red Bull can in his backyard, several blocks away.
  • "A stray bullet leaves Adams' yard, strikes Sandra Phelps in her right arm while she's holding the child with her left arm." — Nancy Grace [00:11]
  • Witnesses describe Sandra’s composure during the incident, even joking:

    “someone got a new gun for Christmas,” — Sandra Phelps, quoted by Jennifer Gould [01:25]

  • Within minutes, Sandra was struck by a bullet that traversed her arm into her chest. She died on the scene, "still clutching that infant she'd been protecting just minutes prior." — Jennifer Gould [02:33]
  • The grandchild was unharmed — described by Nancy as a "real Christmas miracle." [00:21]
• Law Enforcement Response:
  • Trail of blood led deputies a third of a mile to Adams’ backyard.
  • Adams admitted everything, breaking down in tears and muttering, "I'm sorry," when told what happened.
  • Investigators noted: Adams "had no backstop to catch the heavy .45 caliber slugs, the bullets were just free to whistle through the residential neighborhood." — Jennifer Gould [03:08]
  • Adams was charged with first-degree manslaughter for "conscious disregard for human life" and is out on bond awaiting a preliminary hearing on February 26.
• Family Tribute:
  • A granddaughter described Sandra as “a loving woman. She loved and cared for everybody.” — Jennifer Gould [02:17]

Notable Quotes

• "Sandra remained irregular, eerily calm, even joking with her family as the shots rang out..." — Jennifer Gould [01:17]
• "Adams reportedly broke down in tears, muttering ‘I’m sorry’ after a deputy told him his target practice had claimed a life." — Jennifer Gould [03:16]
• "With no backstop to catch the heavy .45 caliber slugs, the bullets were just free to whistle through the residential neighborhood." — Jennifer Gould [03:08]

2. New Year’s Eve Murder & International Manhunt

[03:48–06:47]

• Victim & Suspect Details:
  • Nikitha Godishada, a 27-year-old data analyst, murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, in Columbia, Maryland, on New Year's Eve.
  • Sharma staged a cover-up, reporting her missing after killing her and hiding her body, then fled to India.
• Police Highlights:
  • “Her life was taken, you know, before it really even started. So it's certainly a tragic instance, especially by somebody she knew and had a relationship with.” — Seth Hoffman, Howard County Police [04:29]
• Timeline:
  • Stabbing occurred evening of December 31 in Sharma’s apartment.
  • Sharma filed a false missing person report two days later, then raced to Dulles International Airport and flew to India, even as police were only beginning their investigation.
  • Discovery of Nikitha’s "hidden mutilated body" led to a coordinated international search involving the FBI and Interpol.
  • Sharma was arrested in India by January 5; Maryland police are seeking extradition.
• Motive:
  • Police believe motive was financial—Nikitha had loaned Sharma a large sum, demanding repayment.

Notable Quotes

• "Sharma was already racing to Dulles International Airport, boarding a one way flight to India." — Jennifer Gould [05:04]
• "The motive may be as greedy as it was gruesome." — Jennifer Gould [05:11]

3. Golf Cart Police Chase: A Manhunt on the Greens

[06:47–07:21]

• Incident Summary:
  • Officers tracked a fugitive to a golf course; rather than surrender, the suspect escaped in a golf cart.
  • Sandy Springs Police matched with golf carts of their own, leading to a body cam–captured, low-speed chase.
• Police Commands Captured:
  • "Stop the cart. Stop the cart. Get out of the cart. Sandy Springs. Please get out of the cart." — Sandy Springs Police [06:47]
  • "Hands up. Hands up. Turn around." — Sandy Springs Police [06:53]
• Conclusion:
  • The “12 mile per hour Fast and Furious” chase ended with the suspect giving up.
  • The department introduced a “fairway unit” with a “spiritually prepared push bumper for future pit maneuvers.”
  • “It's a stroke of genius that proves running from the cops is never a hole in one.” — Jennifer Gould [07:16]

Notable Quotes

• "The 12 mile per hour Fast and Furious chase ended with the suspect in cuffs after he realized he was officially out of bounds." — Jennifer Gould [06:56]
• "Proves running from the cops is never a hole in one." — Jennifer Gould [07:19]

Memorable Moments & Impactful Quotes

• “A real Christmas miracle. The baby not hit.” — Nancy Grace [00:21]
• "Sandra Phelps, a five-time cancer survivor who spent years cheating death was taken out by a single Christmas bullet..." — Jennifer Gould [00:49]
• "With no backstop to catch the heavy .45 caliber slugs, the bullets were just free to whistle through the residential neighborhood." — Jennifer Gould [03:08]
• “Her life was taken, you know, before it really even started.” — Seth Hoffman [04:29]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:06] Oklahoma grandmother killed by neighbor's stray bullet
• [03:48] New Year’s Eve murder and international police pursuit
• [06:47] Golf cart police chase and creative apprehension

Summary Style & Tone

Nancy Grace’s signature intensity and directness carry throughout the episode, paired with detailed, vivid reporting from her correspondents. The stories are “bombshell”–worthy, emotionally charged, and meant to both inform and provoke outrage at senseless crimes, while highlighting law enforcement’s pursuit of justice and occasionally, a bit of gallows humor (as seen in the golf cart chase coverage).

For more crime and justice news, listen to daily episodes of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, or visit CrimeOnline.com.