Homer
Long Time Member
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..there is no such thing as an accidental discharge...only negligent discharges...
http://www.news-press.com/story/new...ident-punta-gorda-police-department/88500140/
A somber Punta Gorda police Chief Tom Lewis said the police department was unaware that any ammunition existed for a weapon used in a special scenario Tuesday night that resulted in the death of a Punta Gorda woman.
At the 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday the chief briefly described the shoot/don't shoot scenario that led to the death of Mary Knowlton, 73. Lewis described Knowlton, whom he said he knew personally, was as a "phenomenal" person in the community.
Asked about the weapon used in a role-playing portion during a special Chamber Police Night similar to the department's citizen police academy, the chief said he could not say much due to the FDLE investigation.
However, the chief did explain that not every officer in the department has access to that particular weapon and that it has been used before at similar events.
Lewis said that the department was unaware that live ammunition existed for the revolver he also said he was not sure how the fact that the gun was loaded was missed. He said that it was the department's belief that only blanks were available to the officer using the weapon.
Lewis would also not confirm the identity of the officer involved and said that ID would be would be made later on Wednesday. \
Lewis added that the officer in question has been placed on administrative leave and has other officers with him along with friends and family to ensure his safety.
Th chief said that there were several members of the Punta Gorda Police Department, including himself, who were in attendance at the event.
THE NEWS-PRESS
Her death was national news, but who was Mary Knowlton in life?
Earlier on Wednesday Punta Gorda city officials expressed sorrow and sympathy for the family of a woman who suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the city police department's Citizens Police Academy Tuesday night.
Howard Kunik, the Punta Gorda city manager, read the prepared statement as the mayor, and city council members stood by in support.
Knowlton was shot during a role-play scenario in which the Punta Gorda police 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 Charlotte Sun and witnessed the incident.
Knowlton was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers where she was pronounced dead.
Kunik, speaking in front of the Public Safety Building at 1410 Tamiami Trail, said the city wished to express sympathy for the family and friends of Knowlton.
"We are shocked by this horrific accident and are grieving deeply over Mary's passing," he said.
Kunik acknowledged that the accidental shooting also impacted others attending the event.
"One of our first priorities was to involve our police department's chaplain to provide assistance and comfort," he said.
Additionally, Lt. Katie Heck, public information officer for the Punta Gorda police, said that the city has contracted with Tidewell Hospice to provide free grief counselling for anyone in the city.
Heck said those wishing to take advantage of the service could call Michelle Gordon at Tidewell at 941-9794300.
The Punta Gorda Police Department hosted approximately 35 civilians from the community for its 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.
?I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event," said Chief Lewis. "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.?
Lewis contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to respond and begin an investigation into the events surrounding this incident. The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Florida Department of Law Enforcement personnel are now on scene and have taken command of the investigation.
"We have complete faith in our chief of police to ensure that this outside investigation is conducted thoroughly," Kunik said.
Knowlton's Facebook page says she is from Austin, Minnesota, and now lived in Punta Gorda. Her page said she worked as a librarian in Scott County, Minnesota.
Carolyn Hartwigsen, of Edina, Minnesota, told The Associated Press she was a longtime friend of Knowlton. She said Knowlton had a love of books and tried to instill that in young readers.
?So much is on the internet now. But, books are so important to have in children?s hands. That was important to her,? Hartwigsen said.
Hartwigsen said Mary and her husband of more than 50 years would come back to Minnesota periodically to visit. ?She was the salt of the earth, a beautiful soul and the kindest women you would know."
The couple had two sons, Hartwigsen said.
Heck said the department has run the shoot/don't shoot scenarios as part of it's program here for approximately two years.
"We have done them for the last two Leadership Charlotte police nights, Punta Gorda Citizen?s Academy, and then this was the first police night hosted by our Chamber of Commerce," she said. "In each session four individuals went through the scenarios with no injuries or incident."
Heck said that she believes there are other agencies who have conducted this type of scenario demonstration for civilians.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
http://www.news-press.com/story/new...ident-punta-gorda-police-department/88500140/
A somber Punta Gorda police Chief Tom Lewis said the police department was unaware that any ammunition existed for a weapon used in a special scenario Tuesday night that resulted in the death of a Punta Gorda woman.
At the 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday the chief briefly described the shoot/don't shoot scenario that led to the death of Mary Knowlton, 73. Lewis described Knowlton, whom he said he knew personally, was as a "phenomenal" person in the community.
Asked about the weapon used in a role-playing portion during a special Chamber Police Night similar to the department's citizen police academy, the chief said he could not say much due to the FDLE investigation.
However, the chief did explain that not every officer in the department has access to that particular weapon and that it has been used before at similar events.
Lewis said that the department was unaware that live ammunition existed for the revolver he also said he was not sure how the fact that the gun was loaded was missed. He said that it was the department's belief that only blanks were available to the officer using the weapon.
Lewis would also not confirm the identity of the officer involved and said that ID would be would be made later on Wednesday. \
Lewis added that the officer in question has been placed on administrative leave and has other officers with him along with friends and family to ensure his safety.
Th chief said that there were several members of the Punta Gorda Police Department, including himself, who were in attendance at the event.
THE NEWS-PRESS
Her death was national news, but who was Mary Knowlton in life?
Earlier on Wednesday Punta Gorda city officials expressed sorrow and sympathy for the family of a woman who suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the city police department's Citizens Police Academy Tuesday night.
Howard Kunik, the Punta Gorda city manager, read the prepared statement as the mayor, and city council members stood by in support.
Knowlton was shot during a role-play scenario in which the Punta Gorda police 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 Charlotte Sun and witnessed the incident.
Knowlton was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers where she was pronounced dead.
Kunik, speaking in front of the Public Safety Building at 1410 Tamiami Trail, said the city wished to express sympathy for the family and friends of Knowlton.
"We are shocked by this horrific accident and are grieving deeply over Mary's passing," he said.
Kunik acknowledged that the accidental shooting also impacted others attending the event.
"One of our first priorities was to involve our police department's chaplain to provide assistance and comfort," he said.
Additionally, Lt. Katie Heck, public information officer for the Punta Gorda police, said that the city has contracted with Tidewell Hospice to provide free grief counselling for anyone in the city.
Heck said those wishing to take advantage of the service could call Michelle Gordon at Tidewell at 941-9794300.
The Punta Gorda Police Department hosted approximately 35 civilians from the community for its 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.
?I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event," said Chief Lewis. "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.?
Lewis contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to respond and begin an investigation into the events surrounding this incident. The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Florida Department of Law Enforcement personnel are now on scene and have taken command of the investigation.
"We have complete faith in our chief of police to ensure that this outside investigation is conducted thoroughly," Kunik said.
Knowlton's Facebook page says she is from Austin, Minnesota, and now lived in Punta Gorda. Her page said she worked as a librarian in Scott County, Minnesota.
Carolyn Hartwigsen, of Edina, Minnesota, told The Associated Press she was a longtime friend of Knowlton. She said Knowlton had a love of books and tried to instill that in young readers.
?So much is on the internet now. But, books are so important to have in children?s hands. That was important to her,? Hartwigsen said.
Hartwigsen said Mary and her husband of more than 50 years would come back to Minnesota periodically to visit. ?She was the salt of the earth, a beautiful soul and the kindest women you would know."
The couple had two sons, Hartwigsen said.
Heck said the department has run the shoot/don't shoot scenarios as part of it's program here for approximately two years.
"We have done them for the last two Leadership Charlotte police nights, Punta Gorda Citizen?s Academy, and then this was the first police night hosted by our Chamber of Commerce," she said. "In each session four individuals went through the scenarios with no injuries or incident."
Heck said that she believes there are other agencies who have conducted this type of scenario demonstration for civilians.
More information will be released as the investigation continues.
