Tangie Swanson, 37, was fatally shot on the morning of August 14, 2008, in the parking lot of the Service Market Grocery on East Boulevard in Baton Rouge. A floor technician and McKinley High School graduate, Swanson was the intended target; another person was wounded in the attack. Authorities concluded the killing was retaliatory, linked to allegations that Swanson had been involved in the death of Kevin Collins earlier that year.

Investigations stalled and the murder became a cold case for more than a decade. In August 2020, police arrested 40-year-old Dexter Collins and charged him with second-degree murder in Swanson’s death. Prosecutors later released him in February 2021 when formal charges were not filed within the required timeframe, with officials saying evidence fell short of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt despite probable cause for arrest.

Shortly after that release, Damon Franklin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder; police say he was the getaway driver and knew of the plan to kill Swanson. Tangie Swanson is survived by her parents, a son, and a daughter. Does anyone have information about the 2008 shooting or Tangie’s life that could help fill gaps in the timeline?