Woman shot by police during citizen academy roleplay dies

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A woman accidentally shot several times by a police officer Tuesday night during a Citizen Academy at the Punta Gorda Police Department has died, according to the Charlotte Sun.

Mary Knowlton, 73, was reportedly shot several times during a roleplay scenario in which the officer was playing a “bad guy” and Knowlton was playing the "victim," according to Sue Paquin, a photographer who was covering the event for the Sun and witnessed the incident.

The police officer apparently shot at Knowlton with live ammunition instead of blank rounds.

The victim was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. She was later pronounced dead, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department.

According to the Punta Gorda website, the Citizens Academy is a free, eight-session course of interactive classes to teach "the role and responsibility of the various City departments and services they provide to the community."

Via:http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/08/09/woman-shot-police-citizen-academy/88501920/