A Woman is Tragically Killed by a Police Officer During a Role-Playing Exercise

[ikissedtheskyonce]

The victim, 73 year old retired librarian and community volunteer Mary Knowlton, originally from Minnesota, was killed by a police officer in Florida, during a role playing exercise to help citizens understand how police officers use lethal force.

More than 24 people witnessed her get shot at the Punta Gorda Police Department's citizen academy. Chief Thomas Lewis did not name the police officer or say why the officer used bullets during a training, but he is currently on administrative leave.

Mary was one of the 35 citizens who participated in a free eight session course to learn about local civics. The Chief's statement:

“During the first scenario, in a horrible accident, participant Mary Knowlton was mistakenly struck with a live round…Our entire Police Department and all of our city leaders are absolutely devastated for everyone involved.”

In the training session the police officer played the "bad guy" during the training.

Personally, I am curious to know how someone could get killed during a training session meant for citizens who genuinely want to be involved with the police in the community, this is sad and this makes no sense to me at all. There is no excuse for this.

Mrs. Knowlton was shot during the first two role playing sessions. Sue Paquin, a photographer reporting, said that the officer shot at Mary several times.

Mary leaves behind a husband who she was married to for over 50 years and son Steven Knowlton.

Sources: New York Times

5 facts

[John_Doesnt]

Police is the country get the impression they are above the law. And it's incidents like this that give them reason to believe that.

[Mustachekitteh]

The cop that use real bullets is an idiot.

[Belgie]

Those who viewed the demonstration, have now got a PERFECT understanding of what dealing with police is like - they are too fucking stupid to be allowed guns, they kill innocent people, they will suffer ZERO consequences for it.

Let's hope the public learns this lesson fast, before too many more innocent lives are lost.

[Waffles731]

The cop is an idiot and should face charges for manslaughter

[meowcow]

You could charge him for that, but that's pretty much giving him a free ticket to freedom. The courts would have to prove the manslaughter charge, and that is impossible given the circumstances. It's like when black lives matter demand a cop be charged with 1st degree murder. I'm pretty certain there's no proof that a police officer had a premediated plan to murder a black suspect, so charging him with 1st degree means he'll be acquitted 100%.

The most you'll get here is negligence causing death. Unfortunate... for such an obviously retarded act.

[Rissyanne]

I am surprised this made the news... glad it did... but very surprised.

[martyfellow]

I guess someone used live rounds instead of blanks?

[crimsonqueen]

That's terrible. Though I wonder if we will see #seniorwhitefemalelivesmatter

[Waffles731]

They don't though, senior white females are some of the most evil things on this planet with their satanic rituals and shit

[crimsonqueen]

@Waffles731 when they pinch your cheeks they are trying to rip your face off, but are too feeble

[Waffles731]

Thats right, they want to rip off your face and wear it as a mask like leatherface

[crimsonqueen]

@Waffles731 that explains why they look that way.. all pruney and w/e

[AhGojira]

But white lives don't matter...