Tampa Woman Killed By Stray Bullet

Tampa, FL — The Tampa Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 57-year-old woman.

According to the agency, Maria J. Rivera-Contreras was inside a vehicle with family in the area of Jefferson Street and Columbus Drive East around 9:45 p.m. Thursday. Police say she was delivering food to a family member or friend when a bullet was fired at a nearby teenager on a bicycle.

The bullet, police say, struck Rivera-Contreras instead. She was taken to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead.

Police say a group of youths were engaged in an ongoing dispute. The teen the bullet was fired at is believed to have been involved in that dispute.

An arrest in the case has not yet been made. Police are asking that anyone with information about the shooting contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Police Department