Tomika Swoope dies after Columbus Avenue shooting

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Swoope took a bullet to the head above her left eye, collapsed, and was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center along with a cousin who was also wounded in the shooting.

For days, family and friends were with her while she struggled to survive.

She died last night.

There's been speculation in the press, based on witness accounts, that the 20-year-old MERC Alternative High School graduate was the mistaken target in a gang-related drive-by shooting.

Whether or not that's true, Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. William Palmer isn't saying. The MPD Homicide Unit is still trying to piece together the details of what happened, and "is not prepared to release details of the incident at this time to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation."

He did say that there have been no arrests in the case so far.

In the meantime, Third Precinct commander Lucy Gerold is asking everyone in the neighborhood to do what they can to help police track down Tomika's killer. Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the TIPS Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).

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