Florida Cop Fired After Killing Former Rosemount Librarian

The Punta Gorda, Florida police officer who accidentally shot and killed a former Rosemount librarian has been fired.

The fatal shooting of Mary Knowlton occurred Aug. 9, 2016 at Punta Gorda's citizen police academy.

In a letter to Officer Lee Coel, Philip Wickstrom, the human resources manager for Punta Gorda, wrote that "After considering all of the information before me, including the information your attorney presented on March 1, 2017, please be advised that I have decided to discharge you from your employment with the City," effective Friday, March 10.

Last month, Florida State Attorney Steve Russell announced charges against both the local police chief and Coel in connection to the fatal shooting.

The fatal shooting occurred during a "shoot/don’t shoot" role-play scenario.

Police said at the time that a live round somehow ended up inside a gun fired by an officer at the Punta Gorda Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy. The bullet fatally injured 73-year-old Minnesota native Mary Knowlton, who was taking part in the class.

"Officer Lee Coel, during a role play scenario, shot and killed citizen Mary Knowlton. I want to first again send my condolences to the family of Mary Knowlton," Russell said.

Russell announced his office is charging Punta Gorda Police Officer Lee Coel with one count of manslaughter with a firearm, which is a first degree felony.

The office is also charging Punta Gorda Police Chief Tom Lewis with one count of culpable negligence, Russell said. Culpable negligence is a second degree misdemeanor.

Knowlton had enrolled in the two-hour class along with dozens of other area residents. Two participants were randomly chosen to take part in the role-play session that simulates the decision-making process involved in determining when to use lethal force.

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