Officer Who Killed Retiree During Demo Fired In Florida

By Bob Owens

Lee Coel, the Punta Gorda (FL) police officer who shot and killed a retired librarian when he used a real gun and live ammunition in a force-on-force demo, has been terminated by his department as he awaits trial for manslaughter.

Two weeks after Punta Gorda Police Officer Lee Coel was charged with manslaughter in the death of a Punta Gorda woman during a police training exercise, city officials fired him Thursday.

Coel, 28, shot and killed Mary Knowlton during a role-playing exercise on Aug. 9, 2016 at police headquarters. During a training demonstration that was part of a special “Chamber Police Night” for local business leaders and other citizens, Coel pointed a revolver, which he believed was loaded with blanks, at the 73-year-old Knowlton and pulled the trigger several times, according to accounts.

She fell dead. Her husband was among those watching.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the shooting and forwarded its findings to the State Attorney’s Office, which charged Coel with felony manslaughter. He could be sentenced to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Prosecutors also charged Police Chief Tom Lewis with culpable negligence, a misdemeanor. Lewis, who could face 60 days in jail, has since been placed on …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms