Mary Knowlton killed after being shot with live round during role play exercise at Citizen Police Academy in Punta Gorda, Florida
Woman killed during role play exercise at Citizen Police Academy
The woman, identified as Mary Knowlton, was one of 35 people participating in the two-hour Punta Gorda Citizen Police Academy. Knowlton was one of two participants randomly selected to be put through a “shoot/don’t shoot” scenario in which they make decisions on using simulated lethal force in a live role play.
Police said “Knowlton was struck with a live round.” She was pronounced dead at Lee Memorial Hospital.
Police: Woman killed by Florida officer in academy exercise
The officer involved has not been identified and is on administrative leave pending a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, Lewis says.
Woman Accidentally Killed During ‘shoot, don’t shoot’ Training Exercise at Police Department
The Citizens Academy is designed to teach local civics to civilians who apply for the eight-week course, according to Punta Gorda’s official website.
Punta Gorda Police Chief Gives Information
Tom Lewis, Punta Gorda Police Chief, talks to the media in an afternoon press conference as follow up to a 73-year-old Punta Gorda resident who was shot and killed Tuesday in what appears to be an accidental shooting involving a city police officer.
Officer who killed Punta Gorda woman resigned from previous job
Coel, 28, left the Miramar Police Department after 14 months of service in theBroward County municipality. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, he left the agency in April of 2013 for failing to satisfactorily complete an agency field training program. He was hired at the Punta Gorda Police Department in March of 2014.
Police shooting in Punta Gorda: What happened
Police Chief Tom Lewis said “I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event. If you pray, please pray for Mary’s family, and for the officers who were involved. Everyone involved in this accident is in a state of overwhelming shock and grief.”
Why every fatality from a crash is not legally a wrongful death
After someone dies in a motor-vehicle accident, grieving family members and friends are often left with many questions. What caused the accident? Could it have been avoided? What do they do now that their loved one is gone?
Sometimes a fatal collision happens through no one's fault. Crashes caused by weather and road conditions, or by wildlife in the roadway, are examples. But when a fatal crash is caused by negligence, then family members should pursue a wrongful death claim, to uphold the victim's rights and begin the financial recovery process. Learn more about wrongful death claims here.
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