Former Minnesota librarian killed by officer in Florida citizen's training class

Updated: 1 p.m. | Posted: 8:03 a.m.

A Minnesota native was shot and killed during a citizen's police academy "shoot/don't shoot" scenario.

Mary Knowlton, formerly of Prior Lake, was one of 35 in the Punta Gorda Police Department citizen's academy class. Police say she and another participant were randomly selected to simulate lethal force in a live role play.

Punta Gorda Police Chief Tom Lewis called the incident a "horrible accident." He didn't elaborate on why live ammunition was used in the scenario, citing the pending investigation. Knowlton was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

"I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event," Lewis said. "If you pray, please pray for Mary's family, and for the officers who were involved. Everyone involved in this accident is in a state of overwhelming shock and grief."

Steve Knowlton, a son of the woman, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his father witnessed the shooting and is "devastated." He said his parents had been married for 55 years.

Of the officer involved, Steve Knowlton added, "I forgive him ... There's too much hate in this world, in America. We always feel like we need revenge and it doesn't solve anything."

Lt. Katie Heck, a police spokeswoman, said that Tuesday night's session at the police station, which included a tour and plans for various exercises, was thrown into disarray by the events.

"There was a lot of confusion," Heck said. "It definitely was something that was unexpected and awful."

Heck said in the previous sessions she's been in, "everyone is involved in the role playing scenarios. She said they use "what we call simunition guns" for the session. Simunition products are real-looking weapons that fire a non-lethal projectile with reduced force.

"Exactly what happened last night is still under investigation," Heck said.

Knowlton, 73, was a former librarian at Scott County Public Library. She was on the Friends of the Punta Gorda Library Board.

The officer involved is on administrative leave. Police did not identify the officer. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Cities across the country host citizen's academy classes to offer insight into day-to-day policing. The classes include information on traffic stops, homicide investigations and search and seizure, as well as hands-on training and use-of-force simulations.

There are students who volunteer to feel what it's like to be shocked with a Taser. Some also learn how to point and shoot weapons.

Officer Oscar Vasquez of the Jacksonville, Illinois Police Department, who is president of the National Citizens Police Academy Association, said he had never heard of anyone taking part in one of the courses being fatally shot. He said most departments do not use weapons in "shoot/don't shoot" scenarios that are capable of firing a live round.

"When we run scenarios, we will use starter pistols," Vasquez told The Associated Press. "You can't even put live ammunition in them. No projectile is capable of coming out."

Some departments use video simulators, he said, and others use other types of non-lethal devices. Officers involved in most citizen academies don't typically even bring their service weapons into the classes, he added.

"The class is told in advance there will be no live firearms," Vasquez said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report