Page 319 - 2023 PPIAC RMIC BOOK
P. 319
Case #3:
Police Training Accidental Death - Citizens Academy
• Coel loaded what he thought were four blank firing cartridges into his revolver and placed it on a parked car
in the rear parking lot of the police station. After receiving instructions, Knowlton, playing an officer,
approached Coel, simulating a suspicious person. The officer picked up his firearm. Mrs. Knowlton
confronted Coel, who was wearing a gray hoodie and safety mask to protect his face from paint rounds that
could come from Knowlton’s training gun. He acted as though he was talking into a cell phone.
• Former Punta Gorda Police officer Lee Coel and Knowlton had a brief exchange before he pointed his revolver
in the direction of the longtime librarian from Minnesota and fired four times. They first bullet ricocheted off
the engine hood of the car and struck Knowlton in the abdomen.
• Another bullet bounced off the hood and hit the inside of her left elbow.
• Two other rounds hit the car but did not strike Knowlton.
Case #3:
Police Training Accidental Death - Citizens Academy
