PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) - Police in southwest Florida say an officer accidentally shot a woman to death during a citizens academy "shoot/don't shoot" exercise.
Punta Gorda Police Chief Tom Lewis told news outlets that Mary Knowlton, a librarian, was taking part in a roleplaying scenario Tuesday night when she was "mistakenly struck with a live round."
Lewis says Knowlton was one of two from about 35 people in the class for a "shoot/don't shoot" simulation during which they decide whether to use simulated lethal force during a "live role play." The chief says she was mistakenly shot with a live round.
He says she was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Lewis didn't identify the officer involved. He's been placed on administrative leave pending a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.
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