He was wounded on February 7, 2008, when Charles "Cookie" Thornton went on a shooting rampage at a meeting in the city hall.
Swoboda, who was one of the targets of the rampage, was taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in critical condition.
[5] On February 13, he opened his eyes, and on the 15th his condition was upgraded to serious.
However, on September 6, 2008, Swoboda died in hospice after a rapid health decline shortly before his 70th birthday.
[7] According to Swoboda's son, cancer was an additional factor that contributed to his father's health decline.