Grossly Incompetent Police Kill Florida Woman During Role-Playing Exercise

By Bob Owens

Punta Gorda (FL) Police Department officer playing a “bad guy” in a role-playing scenario became a killer in real life when he pumped real bullets from a real handgun into a 73-year-old retired librarian.

A Punta Gorda police officer accidentally shot and killed a woman during a Citizens Academy on Tuesday evening.

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

Knowlton was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Punta Gorda Police Department hosted approximately 35 civilians from the community for a two-hour Citizen Police Academy, during which time two participants were randomly selected to be put through a “shoot/don’t shoot” scenario in which they make decisions on using simulated lethal force in a live role play, according to a press release from the department.

Ladies and gentlemen, this was not an “accident.” An accident is when you stub your toe or pick up someone else’s drink off the table.

This was gross incompetence and a violation …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms