A Tampa woman was killed Thursday when she was struck by a stray bullet, according to Tampa police.

  • Maria J. Rivera-Contreras, 57, was struck while in her car
  • Bullet came from ongoing dispute between group of youths

The incident occurred on Columbus Drive near Jefferson Street N. According to investigators, two teenagers were riding bikes near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Columbus Drive when they shot at another teen in the street.

Maria J. Rivera-Contreras, 57, had just finished delivering food to a friend on Columbus Drive, and was in a car with her family when she was struck by a bullet from one of the two teens' guns.

Police say one of the bullets went through the car window, hitting Rivera-Contreras and killing her.

"We have an innocent woman riding in a car with her family. She's hit by a stray bullet because of a senseless neighborhood dispute," said Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin.

A nine-year-old boy was sitting next to Rivera-Contreras in the car. The boy's mother, Mari Pacheco, said the bullet narrowly missed him.

"He saw everything," said Pacheco. "He's nine. Do you know how hard this is to ever take out of his head? That's never going to leave his head."

The family said Rivera-Contreras had moved to Tampa from Puerto Rico about 5 months ago to get better health care. They said she had gone back to Puerto Rico to pack some things, and had been back in Tampa for less than 24 hours when she was shot.

"She actually came here thinking she was going to come and live the life she wanted," said Pacheco.

The family is asking anyone with information to come forward.

"I hope whoever does this gets caught and does the right thing," said Victor Rivera, Jr., the victim's nephew.

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a $3,000 reward in the case. To report information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or go on-line at http://www.crimstopperstb.com