Shocking story as woman shot to dead in police academy training

A civilian woman has been shot and killed by
an officer during a training exercise at a police
academy in Florida.

Mary Knowlton was taking part in a "shoot/
don't shoot" role play when she was shot in
front of around 34 people on Tuesday evening,
a spokesman for the Punta Gorda Police
Department said.

Ms Knowlton was a student at the
force's Citizen Police Academy, which offers a
free eight-session course for people from the
community who want to learn about the
police and public service, according to the
department's website.

The demonstration at the police
headquarters was aimed at teaching the class
about making decisions "using simulated lethal
force".

Ms Knowlton was "mistakenly struck" with a
live round during lesson's "first scenario",
according to police chief Thomas Lewis.
She was rushed to Lee Memorial Hospital
where she was pronounced dead, the
department said.

The police officer involved has not been
identified and has been put on administrative

leave.