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Woman, 19, Fighting For Life After Minneapolis Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 19-year-old girl, shot in the head in Minneapolis Monday night, is fighting for her life. Her friends call her "Jay," and right now they are praying for a miracle.

Tomika Swoope was shot close to her home near the 3200 block of Columbus Avenue.

"She didn't deserve to lose her life at age 19, nobody deserves to lose their life and my best friend didn't deserve it at all," said friend Delia Spencer.

Spencer was with Tomika just before she got shot. The two went a corner store, bought some goodies and left. Tomika headed home and Delia got on a bus.

"Five minutes later, I got the news that she has got shot," said Spencer.

Tomika was a few feet from her house when she was shot just above her left eyebrow.

Neighbors say gangs have been feuding in the area. Tomika was wearing red at the time of the shooting and could have been mistaken for a Blood.

"I don't think my best friend is that type," said Spencer.

Tomika graduated from MERC Alternative High School last year. She liked to play sports. Basketball and football were her favorites. She also had dreams of going to college and wearing a uniform.

"She wanted to be a police officer," said Spencer.

However, as Tomika fights for her life, that dream is now just a distant memory.

"If she tells God that she wants to go home, then that's her. I'll be there on her side while she does it," said Spencer.

Police haven't release much information. They haven't commented on whether this is gang-related. They have no suspects in custody.

Sonya Goins, Producer
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