PUNTA GORDA, Fla. A woman was fatally shot by an officer while participating in a shoot-dont shoot exercise during a two-hour citizens academy hosted by the Punta Gorda Police Department in southwest Florida.
Police Chief Tom Lewis said the shooting happened Tuesday night as two of the 35 participants were randomly selected to take part in a live roleplaying scenario in which they make decisions on using simulated lethal force.
Lewis said Mary Knowlton, a librarian, was mistakenly struck with a live round.
I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event, Lewis told reporters during a late-night news conference at the police department. If you pray, please pray for Marys family, and for the officers who were involved. Everyone involved in this accident is in a state of overwhelming shock and grief.
Knowlton was taken to a hospital in nearby Fort Myers, where she was pronounced dead.
The citizens academy is a free, eight session course designed to provide insight into city government, according to the citys website.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, Lewis said. He declined to identify the officer involved in the shooting, but said hes been placed on administrative leave.
A profile on a Facebook page that appeared to be Knowltons said she lives in Punta Gorda, but had been a librarian at Scott County Public Library in Savage, Minnesota. She studied library science at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota, and elementary education at George Mason University in Virginia. The profile information said shes from Austin, Minnesota.
Police Chief Tom Lewis said the shooting happened Tuesday night as two of the 35 participants were randomly selected to take part in a live roleplaying scenario in which they make decisions on using simulated lethal force.
I wonder if the participants had to sign some disclosure form as far as liability exemption from bringing any legal action before taking part in the the roleplaying. I'd never heard of police using civil participants and real ammunition in their scenerio exercises. Something about this really smells.