Matthew Scott Phillips, 19, Wynnewood, was charged with first degree manslaughter Monday, Nov. 20 by the district attorney's office based on an investigation into the death of Shelby Jane Bays, 19, Davis. Bays died Nov. 9 from a gunshot wound to her abdomen from a Remington 700, 30-06 rifle Phillips allegedly fired accidentally while touching her with the barrel. Both were East Central University students.

Bays was studying while lying on a bed at the residence of her boyfriend, Matthew Scott Phillips, 19, and his roommate William Aaron Delaplain, according to the police report. Delaplain was putting his rifle away when Phillips wanted to see if he wanted a scope similar to the one mounted on it, Phillips told Sgt. Baker. According to the report, Phillips took the rifle thinking it was unloaded and pointed it at a heater near the front door. Phillips told Sgt. Baker he turned and pointed the gun at Bays, his girlfriend, and looked through the scope at her. Phillips reportedly moved toward her and touched her on the buttocks with the barrel of the rifle and it went off.

Delaplain told Sgt. Baker he had started cleaning his room when Phillips asked to look at the gun and did not see what happened before the gun went off. Delaplain called for an ambulance while Phillips pulled Bays from the bed to perform CPR.