A police officer killed a woman during a training seminar in Florida on Tuesday night in an apparent accidental shooting.
According to the Washington Post, 73-year-old Mary Knowlton had reportedly come to the Punta Gorda police station as part of a community event organized by the Chamber of Commerce to give attendees a closer look at how the department operates. She volunteered to play the 'victim' in a 'shoot/don't shoot' role-playing scenario, which was meant to show when and why police use lethal force. But when the officer pulled the trigger to pretend to shoot, he found the gun was actually loaded and Knowlton was reportedly hit with a live round as roughly 35 attendees looked on.
She was rushed to Lee Memorial Hospital nearby, where she was pronounced dead. The mother and former librarian had recently moved to Punta Gorda from Minnesota and served on the local the Friends of the Punta Gorda Library board of directors.
It is not known why the gun was loaded or where Knowlton was hit, according to the Washington Post. Punta Gorda Police Chief Tom Lewis said he has contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the incident. The involved officer, who has not been named, has been put on administrative leave pending investigation.
"I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event," Lewis said. "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."
Punta Gorda Police did not immediately return Complex's request for comment.
