Punta Gorda Police Officer Allegedly Shoots 73 Year Old Librarian During Demonstration
On August 9, 2016, Punta Gorda police officer Lee Coel allegedly shot and killed 73-year-old librarian Mary Knowlton with a revolver that should have been loaded with blanks. Coel and Knowlton were both participating in a demonstration meant to show the public the kind of split-second decisions a police officer must make on the streets. Knowlton was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
View full press release