On Tuesday night, the unthinkable happened.
A woman, Mary Knowlton, was accidentally shot and killed by a police officer during a role-play incident, “Shoot or Don’t Shoot,” at the Citizens Academy.
For me, it was a plum assignment. It was a Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce event, so I knew most of the people there — John Wright, Nanette Leonard, Debi Malinoski, etc.
Mrs. Knowlton had volunteered to be one of the participants in the role-playing part of the exercise. She was given a “Simunition” gun, a fake weapon which used detergent in the rounds, and the officer involved had one as well filled with blanks. Or so they thought.
I snapped the photo as the officer, playing a “bad guy,” fired.
I caught Knowlton bending over, clutching her abdomen. She then fell to the ground.
I thought she was just acting at first. Then thought maybe she had had a heart attack from the sound of the gunfire. But then I saw the blood.
Fire Department paramedics immediately rushed to the scene and 911 was called within seconds.
All 35 of us were ushered into a room and held for questioning.
State investigators arrived from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct an independent investigation.
Despite the quick response, Knowlton later passed away at Lee Memorial Hospital. I was deeply saddened when I heard the terrible news.
Prior to the role-playing, Chief Tom Lewis gave a slide presentation illustrating the achievements his department has made over the years. I met Tom when my husband, Al Hemingway, a Sun correspondent, was doing a story about him for Harbor Style Magazine and I took photos of him.
He is an outgoing, friendly person, who is extremely proud of his department.
I feel so sorry for him and the entire department.
The horrible accident that occurred has shaken them all; especially the officer involved.
As well as myself.