today punta gorda a 73-year-old woman will be laid to rest exactly one week after she was killed during a police exercise. mary knowlton died during a shoot don't shoot role playing scenario at the punta gorda citizen police academy. the officer is on leave. first united meth difficulties church in punta gorda is holding a memorial service for her this afternoon. punta gorda library where she worked is accepting donation. >> state of florida post a record tourism numbers through june preliminary estimates 57.4 million people visited state during 4.3 increase. last week university of florida reported that americans still plan to travel to the state within next 6 months despite the scare of zika. >> we told you last week the rays are looking for public's input about where their new

today in punta gorda: a 73 year old woman will be laid to rest... exactly one ?week after she was killed, during a police exercise. "mary knowlton" died during a "shoot - don't shoot" role playing scenario last tuesday night at the punta gorda police department's citizens police academy. is on leave. the first united methodist church in punta gorda is holding a public memorial service for knowles this afternoon. it starts at two p-m. knowlton was well known in the community because she worked at the local library. the punta gorda library is accepting donations in her honor. the search is on in north florida... for a missing fisherman. and the coast guard is asking ?all boaters to be on the lookout. they're searching for 47 year old "mitchell zegi" from ocala. he went out on a fishing trip sunday in his 22 but he never came home sunday night. zegi was out near "horseshoe beach"... thats up in dixie county. his family reported him missing on monday. the coast guard sent an airplane and a helicopter from clearwater to help in the search. they need to comb about two

how could a night of safety training at the punta gorda police department end up with the shooting of a volunteer? 73-year-old mary knollton was accidentally shot and killed tuesday night dur shoot/don't shoot exercise. there she is right there in the light blue. and it was an officer who pulled the trigger. >> fox 13's haley hinds is in pun day at that governor da -- purchase at that governor da. punta gorda where investigators are trying to figure out what went on. >> haley: she was very well known and very involved in the community. she supported the police, her son said, that's why she wanted to be a part of chamber police tuesday. she was picked to be part of a shoot/don't shoot role play scenario. she is excited to do it. but during the exercise the 73-year-old was mistakenly shot with a live round. she was taken to the hospital but died. officer cole had been with the department 2-1/2 years. the recover he fired had been used in previous classes with no problem. how and why this happened is still a major question that the florida department of law en answer. >> we believe that

of that accidental shooting in punta gorda. this shows officer coel just seconds before he shot and killed the mother of two. that woman there is knowlton who is about to participate in the role playing scenario. the police department cannot explain why his gun was loaded with real bullets instead of blanks. >>> and hillary clinton is releasing he early as today. vice presidential nominee tim kaine will release his as well. clinton has hammered donald trump over his refusal to release his tax document. >> he refuses to do what every other presidential candidate in decades has done and release his tax returns. [ applause ] >> meanwhile, donald trump says he's weighing whether he wants he says he'll hear from cuban- americans and allow cubans who reach u.s. soil to stay in the country. >> last night, we counted five protesters being evicted from the event. he did stay on topic but didn't defend himself at all despite the more recent controversial statements he's made. he did have a new position that the pr >> barack obama, number

she and her husband were at the punta gorda police department tuesday. she was picked to be part of a shoot/don't shoot role play scenario. she is excited to do it. but during the exercise the she was taken to the hospital but died. officer cole had been with the department 2-1/2 years. the recover he fired had been used in previous classes with no problem. how and why this happened is still a major question that the florida department of law enforcement is looking to answer. >> we believe that the particular caliber of the weapon used, that there were only blank rounds available to the officer. >> being bitter and angry and hateful isn't going to bring her back. the room. she's a hero. >> reporter: officer cole is on administrative leave. we learned he was the subject of an internal investigation after an incident last year where he used his canine partner to take down an unarmed man on a bicycle who wasn't following orders. that man was significantly injured. he said his family will forgive that's what his mother would want. real guns will not be used

david begnaud, cbs news, punta gorda. law enforcement is heading the investigation./// ((christianne klein)) >>> new information coming out today about the new jersey "bridgegate" scandal. new court filings show a former aide to governor chris christie says christie lied about his knowledge of his administration's involvement in the george washington bridge lane closures. christine renna... reportedly texted a message that christie quote "just flat out lied" about who was involved in the 20-13 decision. many say it was meant to be an christie has denied any involvment in the scandal./// ((christianne klein)) >>> one teen is committed to staying positive after losing some fingers in an a-t-v accident. ((paul joncich)) >> how she hopes to inspire others./// <<< announcer: you're watching the valley's news there you have it folks. it's the greatest double-play ever. t two medium two-topping zzas for $6.99 each. add any four, twenty-ounce pepsi-cola products for just $5. this is 8 news now at four. ((christianne klein)) >>> w

according to her facebook page, mary nolten was from minnesota but lived in punta gorda. she was a board member for friends of the library, a lu promote awareness of appreciation for and use of the punta gorda library. we're going to continue to follow this story throughout the day as that investigation into how this happened, the events surrounding what happened continues throughout the day. i'll be back with another live report for you coming up in the next hour. back to you. >>russell: just horrible. horrible. all right. we'll talk later. thank you. >>jennifer: 7:04. tampa police are searching for at least 22 homes have been broken into in the south tampa area alone. this is surveil yans -- surveillance video from the house. he left no fingerprints behind. the group was seen leaving a house monday in a blue kia but police believe they are switching out cars regularly. if you have any information, call crime stoppers. zika outbreak in miami is getting worse. >>russell: the total so far to 21. the arts and restaurant district for the -- where the mosquito areas have been

scenarios like the one in punta gorda also happen in the bay area. tampa is one of several local communities with a police academy. mary dahmer is part of the police citizens review board. it reviews internal affairs department. all of them went through the academy to understand how the department operates. dahmer says the training included real life scenarios but punta gorda accident happened. she says during the entire exercise, tampa police never pointed a gun at the class. >>> a girl ran away from home and police were back to arrest her father for child abuse charges. he is in jail for hog tying his daughter and punching her repeatedly. when police got to the and hives on the wrists. they went back after 911 calls from concerned neighbors who saw the girl running down the street. >>> as for the latest on the zika virus now. up to 21 locally transmitted cases as lawmakers meet with they met with researchers to find out what's being done to stop the spread of the zika virus. senator nelson has urged congress to send more money to florida to deal wi

during a training exercise at the punta gorda police department. "mary knowlton" and another person were picked randomly for a role playing scenario where an officer had to decide whether to shoot... or not shoot. nolon was mistakenly hit with a ?live round, and later died. the broadcast live on facebook overnight:' the officer who shot the woman is the officer who the officer who shot the woman is and the f-d-l-e is handing the investigation. fox 13's shayla reaves will be covering this story for us this morning. she's heading down to punta gorda... and will bring us live updates throughout the morning. a tarpon springs family lost their home... but not their lives... after a big fire. the fire started at this mobile home on saint charles drive. it took firefighters from both tarpon springs and palm harbor to put out the flames. the home was already fully involved the home were able to make it out safely. the red cross is helping the family with a place to stay. and another family survived a fire... the husband woke up in the middle of the night,

he's live at the accidental shooting in punta gorda. what is happening now? >> reporter: the victim in this case along with more than 30 others were actually participating in a citizens academy when all of this happened. apparently that officer was in a role play situation, he shoot have had a unfortunately it was a live round. that woman was shot and killed. this was a simulation and live role play. the victim identified as mary knowlton, according to her facebook page, was a librarian with the scott county public library system and also known to be very active in the community. witnessed that shooting. the officer involved in this incident has been placed on administrative leave. the fdle is investigating this case. we'll be here throughout the morning gathering more information. you can see this is a very active scene. investigators still trying to determine exactly what happened. we'll be out here to bring you more information as we get it this morning. for now reporting live in punta gorda, rodney dunigan, abc action news. >> we apologize for problems th

his and we reached out to punta gorda police, requesting a copy of ?their standard procedures for the citizens academy. they say no specific policy exists. they say the course is designed to be a simple 2 to 4 hour tour of the department... ending with the role-playing they're taking to make sure that tragedy never happens again. a developing story on the east coast: a woman and her young daughter almost hit by a ?bullet... while sitting in their minivan. it happened in ormond beach. "sonia bolles" was with her eight year old daughter stopped at an intersection. then, she heard a loud bang. when she got out to investigate -- she found that a bullet had gone through her passenger side door, ending up in her nter console. thankfully, it didn't hit them. bolles doesn't know what made her a target. beach police are hoping someone with information will come forward. an update this morning on all those delta flight delays. things are ?slowly improving for the airline... but not fast enough for some passengers. the number of canceled flights keeps dropping ev

chief tow lewis / punta gorda police department "during the first scenario in a horrible with a live round. she was rushed to a hospital.. where she pronounced dead. today presser sot our deepest sympathy for the family and friends of mary knowleton//we are shocked by this horrific accident? and are grieving deeply over mary's passing? tag- the officer involved is on leave while the florida department of law enforcement investigates. mg abc news ny new this afternoon -- music legend lionel richie extending we'll tell you how many new shows he's adding and when you can score a ticket! then -- a group of pokemon go players are making this world a better place....how they're doing it? that's straight ahead. and we are continuing to stay on top of this story -- a man climbing a trump tower in new york city -- this is a live the man, in spain, jumps the passenger tunnel... then runs out onto the air field... and tries waving down that plane. security was eventually able to stop the man... he was detained. the airport says it's now reviewing its security measures. others with pokeaid - v n

(vanessa fox-13's shayla reaves is in punta gorda right now... shayla: the woman was shot and killed... ((vanessa thanks, shayla. no closed captioning is ((walter let's get you up to the minute on today's top stories: a tampa man is facing a slew of charges... after officials say he fled a traffic stop while drunk. it happened near downtown early yesterday morning. state troopers tried to pull over "rico jemart simmons"... but as you can see, he sped off. simmons is charged with driving without a license-- his third offense. he's being held without bond. ((walter come look at the screen, if you can. hillsborough deputies are looking for these smash-and-grab robbers, who've already hit two businesses. investigators say: the men smashed the glass doors at "jayce "pannarano pizzeria," just after six a-m friday. they took-off on foot... with a stash of cash. if you recognize them, please call crimestoppers. some relief in sight for pasco county neighborhoods as we wake up to a much quieter radar this morning. yesterday crews and pumps were brought in

she's said to be from from minute and lives here in punta gorda community. we will continue to follow the torre and keep you posted as russell back to you. all right, shayla, thank you. >> and this this morning the father of pulse night club shooter omar mateen is causing some controversy for hillary clinton. he was spotted in the crowd at an orlando event for the democratic candidate. this as clinton expressed her sympathies for the victims and the familis of the shooting there he is right there wearing that a red cap he told a report ear got a generic email inviting member of democratic party. he also said hillary clinton will would good for u.s. and he loves america and has been here for long time clinton's campaign said he didn't he was there. internet buzzing after an interview in which wikileaks founder julie enassange offer ad reward in the death of seth rich. now rich was a staffer in democratic national committee. but was shot and killed in an but conspiracy theorists don't believe it they think he is one responsible for leaking 20 thouks. males in

>> a witness relives a tragic moment when a 73-year-old grandmother is shot and killed by a punta gorda police officer during a training demonstration. >> he is the founder of isis. >> today, donald trump comes out one day after calling barack obama the founder of isis. what stops will trump make today? >> i will personally make sure this doesn't happen again. >> we're now hearing from the ceo of delta airlines after the outage that affected flights worldwide. how he says the company will win back customers' trust. >>> good morning. thank you for joining us on this thursday. i'm deiah riley. >> we're now hearing from people who were at the punta gorda citizens academy when a killed a grandmother. >> it happened during a shoot/don't shoot scenario. the gun used had real bullets instead of blanks. michael paluska has more from a witness. >> she stood next to me as she was walking into the scenario and said, i do not know what heim doing, but this is going to be fun. those were the last things i heard from her. >> reporter: she said those final words to join wright, the president of the pu

this happened last night just, almost two hours south of tampa in punta gorda. the police chief says there was a woman taking part in this pretend scenario when she was mistakenly hit. one of about 35 people in the simulation. doctors pronounced her dead at the hospital. so far this morning the police department is not naming the officer who shot her. now the fdle is investigating. we'll have a report from the scene coming up at 9:30. >>> also coming up -- new slide is not safe. a young boy was killed on that slide last weekend and now other riders say they this ride is dangerous and their complaints were ignored. >> if you're still buying school supplies we hope you'll pick up a few extra for kids in need. we're teeming up with hudson's furniture for the school supply drive. drop off donations at any hudson's. you have to friday to donate. hudsons will match what you drop off. ? teacher teacher can you teach me? >> most inspirational teacher, ellen davis, 10th grade. a drama teacher, brave woman. loved her, very inspiring. learned a lot from her. >> well, i wou

tragedy in punta gorda.. the latest -- after a 73 year old woman is killed >>> tragedy in punta go dar the latest a 73-year-old woman is killed during a self-defense class. and developing this hour, another case of road rage in tampa bay. the details out of hillsborough county. good afternoon everyone. we will begin with that developing story out of hillsborough county. a deadly case of ride rage ending with a shooter trying to ambulance. fox 13's everyone lambert is live along mlk ford's road and plant city with latest i know discussing new details what can you tell us everyone? >> we just got an email update from at hillsborough county sheriff's office. and what i can tell you, is that both men involved in this road rage incident have been identified. they have identified the man who was killed as gary durham of brandon. and deputies say the shooter was robert his street is being withheld at this time but the incident happened just east of here. that light behind me is forbes road and it happened along mlk.

punta gorda police officer shoots and kills a 73-year-old woman. naer nolten was one of nearly three dozen people in the class. she was randomly selected to take part in a shoot, don't shoot scenario. that's how officers trained to use lethal force. in the scenario, the officer was playing the bad guy. in the scenario, he fired several times at nolten who was supposed to be pyi it was a tragedy. more than a simulation. apparently at least one bullet was in the round. nolten was shot and later died in the hospital. an officer who has not been named is on administrative leave, which is standard in officer involved shootings. >>jennifer: arkansas man is out of jail as deputies say he attempted to bring a gun into the magic kingdom at walt disney world. he was randomly selected to go through a metal detector. sherwood police officer from arkansas. webb was fired from the department back in 2013 for dishonesty. he's charged with carrying a concealed firearm and falsely impersonating an officer. >>russell: much of our area, today is the first day of scho

. >> we're learning about a man who shot and killed a punta gorda woman during a police exercise as police investigate why that gun >> whether concealed or not concealed, nobody can have a gun. >> that is the rule for public training exercises, according to a former tampa police officer. we're taking a look at what's supposed to happen during those kinds of demonstrations of. >> get in some type of confrontation, it's not worth anybody's life. >> that's a lesson a bay area man didn't take to heart until it was too late. what we're learning about a man killed today during a road rage fox 13 and the fox news starts now. >> i'm kelly ring. thanks for joining us, everybody. we begin tonight with a shocking story out of punta gorda where a woman was killed while she was attending a civilian police presentation. during an exercise, an officer accidentally shot 73-year-old mary knollton multiple times with a gun that was not supposed to be loaded. fox 13s haley hines is live in punta goa more about the officer involved and more about what happened. haley? >> haley: that officer is lee cole. he's

. >>> coming up -- we continue to follow tragic news in punta gorda. an officer doing a demonstration acde we're finding out more about the victim. >> america's golden boy does it again. as if michael phelps needed more gold medals, what he added to the total and how team usa is adding to the overall medal welcome back. it's an exciting day for kids back to school. it will be dry at the bus stop but by the afternoon we're in our wet season so afternoon thunderstorms, about 50% coverage with temperatures this afternoon nice and warm approaching 90. >>> developing this morning -- working to get more details is shot dead as dozens look on. >> abc action news reporter rod blagojevich -- rod -- abc action news reporter rodney dunigan is live outside the punta gorda police department. we understand this happens during a citizens police academy? >> reporter: that's right. in fact the woman killed was one of 35 people participating in the citizens academy at the time they were going through a role-playing activity called "shoot don't shoot." the officer involv

police training exercise. 73-year-old mary knowlton follow veered to take tactical exercise in punta gorda. police say the officer accidentally shot and killed her. the shooting is under investigation. her husband gary also took part in the exercise. >> we tried to save her life, i was just in shock. didn't know what to do. >> officer cole is on leave during the investigation. we're learning he was forced to resign from the miramar police

she was also a librarian -- well known in the punta gorda community. the f-d-l-e is still investigating why the officer had a loaded weapon. that officer is on paid leave, until the investigation is complete. a scary scene on the east coast of florida... where police say a college student ?killed a couple, and even ?bit one of them in the face. even scarier... police think it was completely random. it happened in jupiter, over in martin county on monday night. police say 19-year-old florida state student "austin harrouff" was having dinner with his family at a restaurant when he got upset and stormed out. police say he walked home... but turned down a random the man and woman were stabbed... along with a neigbhor who tried to stop it. the neighbor is still in the hospital. when police arrived they say harrouff was biting the face of the dead man, and had to use stun guns and a police dog to get him off: police say harouff had taken some clothes off during the attack, and after his arrest started making animal noises. initial blood tests show no signs o

chief thomas lewis/punta gorda police dept. "i am asking that if you pray, you pray for mary's husband and family and for all the officers and witnesses that involved this incident. everyone involved is in an overwhelming state of shock and grief." ((kirsten joyce)) >>> the officer involved in the accidental shooting, who was not identified, has been put on administrated leave. the florida department of law enforcement is heading the investigation./// ((kirsten joyce)) >>> kentucky police are investigating after two men and it happened outside of a 60th birthday party in louisville tuesday night. all three shooting victims were taken to an area hospital. two of the victims were listed in critical condition. ((kirsten joyce)) >>> it has now been two years since the passing of ferguson tenn michael brown. yesterday marked the two year anniversay and during a yesterday marked the two year anniversay and during a demonstration in ferguson a protester was was hit by a car. officers says that a group of protesters who were blocking a

the training took place at the punta gorda police department. "mary knowlton" and another person were picked randomly for a role playing scenario where an officer had to decide whether to shoot... or not shoot. nolon was mistakenly hit with a ?live round, and later died. the police chief gave an overnight:the officer who fired is now on paid leave... and the f-d-l-e is handing the investigation. fox 13's shayla reaves will be covering this story for us this morning. she's heading down to punta gorda... and will bring us a live update at five. take a good look at these surveillance images: hillsborough county deputies hope they will help catch some smash and grab robbers at two local businesses. invstigators say the two men you see here smashed the glass doors at "jayc beverage" and "pannarano pizzeria" just after 6 a-m. they left on foot -- with the cash. if you recognize them, call crimestoppers. and some more surveillance video, this time up in gainesville. it shows some scary road rage... right near the university of florida campus. you can s

her memorial is being held today at "first united methodist church" in punta gorda. the doors open at one, and the service begins at two. donations are being accepted in her honor. the money will help pay for a new library. (walter) also happening today: a new trump campaign office opening in orlando. many are not happy about the location. (walter - the new office is opening near the site of the pulse nightclub... where a gunman shot and killed many feel the decision is disrespectful to the victims and their families. however, randy ross, the campaign's chairperson in orange county... says the locatoin choice was was never meant to distract from what happened at the nightclub. (take sot) (walter - contvo) trump's campaign says they didn't even pick the location -- rather -- the space was donated to them and that's why the office is opening in that spot. (jen) in what is being billed as a major foreign policy address... donald trump is detailing his plan to fight terror. (jen - during his speech in youngstown, ohio monday, trump likened the fight against terrorism to

a punta gorda police officer accidentally shot and killed a woman during a citizens academy. it happened at police headquarters during a role- playing scenario. the woman killed is 73-year-old

"mary knowlton" died during a "shoot - don't shoot" role playing scenario last week at the punta gorda police department's citizens police academy. the shooting is the officer is on leave. the first united methodist church in punta gorda is planning a public memorial service tomorrow afternoon. many knew knowlton from the local library. that branch is accepting donations in her honor to help pay for their new library. detectives in pasco county need your help, finding this man. they believe he was behind a violent carjacking from earlier this month. he's 28 year old "lorezno lamont hardy." the carjacking happened back on august ninth. last seen on thursday in the holiday area, driving a red kia soul. if you see him, don't approach him... call crimestoppers. new video... from a dramatic rescue off the gulf coast. the coast guard tells us that a good samaritan heard a faint distress call -- alerting them to a capsized boat about 24 miles southwest of "matanzas pass preserve." that's not far from sanibel island. once crews arrived - -they found 3 adults and one child clinging to the hull.

55 years with her attended a community event on tuesday, gary witnessed in disbelief as this punta gorda police officer dressed as a criminal during a role playing exercise shot gary's wife, first in the shoulder and then a second fatal shot to her chest. mary's son, steve, describes what her father saw. >> it was surreal. at first we thought she just fell down and the turned her over and that's when they saw the bullet holes. >> reporter: by all accounts, it was tragic accident. the revolver was not supposed to have live ammunition. they had gathered at a public complex for a citizen's safety class much like this one. >> get your hands up. >> reporter: demonstrating a shoot don't shoot scenario, mary was cast as a cop witnesses say chaos ensued aimed a loaded firearm at her and fired. >> i know chen when she hit the ground i looked over at the police chief and saw the anxiety and panic and horror in his face and that's when i knew this was serious. >> reporter: tonight, the officer, lee cole, a two-year veteran is on paid leave. earlier this year, controversy surrounded officer cole aft

the nationwide changes the punta gorda police chief hopes to put into place. >>> first, bill has an update on the tropical system we've been watching. >> i do. as a matter of fact, it's not going to give us much of a problem today little bit of action out there, but nothing to worry about. truly, this is something that we are keeping a watch on. it's so far out there right now, we'll give you the details of what's going on. right now, there is a disturbance out here on the gulf that the folks at the national hurricane center are keeping an eye on? farther south, we're getting a pump of moisture because of what could be hermine. right now, we've got 79 in clear water, 78 in tampa and st. peters with 77. there's going to be some tailgating today. the tailgate cast all around west tampa. game start as 8:00. you can start tailgating as early as you want. around 2:00, you could see showers, but things should break by game time as the highs push in to the low 90s. all right. we're going to see a lot of activity around raymond james stadium today. for right now, things are very calm and q >> frid

mary knowlton died during a shoot don't shoot role playing scenario at the punta gorda citizen police academy. the officer is on leave. first united meth difficulties church in punta gorda is holding a memorial service for her this afternoon. punta gorda library where she worked is accepting donation. >> state of florida post a record tourism numbers through june preliminary estimates 57.4 million people visited state during 4.3 increase. last week university of florida reported that americans still plan to travel to the state within next 6 months despite the scare of zika. >> we told you last week the rays are looking for public's input about where their new stadium should go. >> well we're gettying a better idea about where the team is thinking of moving and a survey sent to select ticket buyers team lists 4 possible stadium locations. downtown st. petersburg, downtown tampa, west shore, and that limited list may come as surprise to some who thought rays were also looking a northern pinellas. and various other parts of tampa. team vice-president strategy and development the survey i

(chief tom lewis / punta gorda police) "we were unaware that any live ammunition for this particular weapon existed." in the midst of his grief, mary knowlton's son steve -- also expressing compassion for the officer. (steve knowlton / son) "i want him to know that we know he ... i'm sure didn't intend on this happening and i forgive him." officer coel - now on administrative leave during the investigation. i'm reid binion reporting records show the police officer who shot the accused of excessive use of force at a previous department where he worked. now to maryland where a powerful explosion shook houses a mile away. within minutes, a huge section of the building collapsed and flames shot into the sky. the intense fire is to blame for the deaths of at least two people.... and the injuries of dozens more. people were trapped inside the four story apartment building.... one couple had to climb out a window on the third floor and drop their five month old baby down to people below. (madelyn fuentes/resident)- "what i saw was a lot of buildings on fire. i got so scared there were peopl

. >>> we have chilling new images from punta gorda. coel in the deadly training officer seconds before he shoots and kills 73-year-old mary knowlton. this happened on wednesday. another picture shows knowlton about to role play that victim. >>> this morning, we're hearing from the woman's son. mary knowlton's son steve says he forgives the officer who shot his mother, and the family is still struggling to deal with the tragedy. >> it just doesn't seem real that the brighte lives is gone. >> mary knowlton was a retired elementary schoolteacher and librarian. she'd been married for 55 years and had two children. steve says the mother was the family's walk. she volunteered to take part in the citizen's police academy for very special reasons. >> we had been talking two nights before about, you know, bad things from the police in this nation after all of the she wanted to make it clear to them that she supported them. >> the police chief knew knowlton personally because she was so involved in the punta gorda community. >>> the clear water

. >> the punta gorda pd will hold a news conference at 10:30. 73-year-old mary was shot in a scenario for use of force. the officer that shot here is officer lee cole. the training exercise is for members, and they are bringing volunteer. she was shot three times in the chest with real bullets instead of blanks. >> when she went down, i looked her straight in the eye. i saw that anguish in her eye. when she hitted floor, i hoped she wasn't feeling any pain. >> the chief says the gun had been used previously for other citizen academies. officer cole is on administrative leave. the fdle is investigating. the victim's family wants to know why a gun at her in the first place. >> we're learning more about the officer lee cole. he joined the police department in march of 2014. during his first year, he was promoted to k-9 officer which he called a dream come true. the night of october 30, 2015, perhaps the only blemish on his record until now, he had his k- 9 officer subdue a man who ignored an order to get down on his knees. that man is now suing but the not violate policy. >>> mary dahmer

>>> overnight a punta gorda police officer accidentally shoots a woman to death. what the police chief is saying about the tragic accident. >> and donald trump will campaign in florida. he'll be making several stops including central florida. >> it's the first day of school for hundreds of thousands of bay area kids. door quickly and safely. >> good morning. i'm james tully sitting in for dan shaffer on this back-to- school wednesday. >> good morning. i'm deiah riley. we got your back-to-school coverage coming up. first we start with breaking news. an update in charlotte county. a punta gorda police officer accidentally shot and killed a woman during a citizens academy. it happened at police headquarters during a role- playing scenario. the woman killed is 73-year-old one of two people randomly picked to simulate a shoot/don't shoot scenario. >> our entire police department and all our city leaders are absolutely devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event. >> the officer involved hasn't been identified yet but is now on administrative leave pendin

. >> reporter: in this photo, a punta gorda police officer is seen handing 73-year-old mary knowlton a fake gun filled with laundry detergent. knowlton was there as a student in an effort by local police to show the community what it is they do. in a role playing exercise called "shoot/don't shoot" knowlton played a police officer. lee coel was what was called the bad guy. at the moment he shot knowlton. journalist sue paquin took the pictures. >> there were three or four shots and she came around. and at first she was starting to double over, and we all thought, she's getting into it, and she's play acting, role playing with it. and i don't think it was a split second later it that she fell we all realized there was something terribly wrong. >> reporter: punta gorda police chief tom lewis. why was your officer using a al scenario with a civilian? >> what i can tell you is that we were unaware that any live ammunition for this particular weapon existed. we believed that the particular caliber of the weapon used, that there were only blank rounds available to the officer. >> reporter:

second later that she fell we all realized there was something terribly wrong. >> reporter: punta gorda police chief tom lewis. why was your officer using aer real weapon in a role-play scenario with a civilian? >> what i can tell you is that we were unaware that any live ammunition for this particular we believed that the particular caliber of the weapon used, that there were only blank rounds available to the officer. >> reporter: steven knowlton is mary's youngest son. >> she-- she was an incredible woman. and i just wish i had one more day with her. and you just never plan for something like this. and i know it's a fluke accident, but it's just devastating. his department of 49 people is devastated. will you allow a real weapon to be used again at a citizens' academy like this? >> the answer is absolutely not. >> reporter: the chief says the gun used to kill mary knowlton was a revolver that had been used with blank rounds for the past two years at other citizen academies and no one ever got hurt. scott, we called the attorney for the officer involved in this case but never heard ba

she was rushed to the hospital where she died. 3 chief thomas lewis/punta gorda police dept. "i am asking that if you pray, you pray for mary's husband and family and for all the officers and witnesses that involved this incident. everyone involved is in an the fatal shot is now on admistrative leave. 3 a neo-natal intensive care unit at a maryland hospital remains closed this morning... after three babies tested positive for a potentially deadly bacteria.officials at "prince george's hospital center" transferred several infants to other hospitals yesterday. authorities believe the bacteria originated in water pipes leading into the hospital. red sox fans are ?buzzing? about a bobblehead giveaway con. cont fans were expecting to get at last night's game.it's a bobblehead depicting a version of "david ortiz." but the red sox organization said... it was "unacceptable" and not appropriate for distribution. some considered it ?racially insensitive?-- but opinions were mixed. 3 the one i saw did not have the white lips like that no no they probably made the right move..i would say

. >>> we have a news a punta gorda. a woman dead after what they're calling a horrible accident at a citizen academy at the punta gorda police department. the class was taking part in a shoot, don't shoot activity. twoy picd for the role play. one of those participants named mary nolten was hit with a live round and died at the hospital. the police chief is calling it an accident and says he's devastated. the flee is investigating and that ser officer involved is on outcome of the investigatio animal calls it hell for pigs polk county couple is behind bars tonight because of what investigators found on their property. darlin' czerner and her husband are charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty and 138 counts of neglect. they're the owners of darlynn's darlins which bills itself as a no kill rescue and animal sanctuary in polk city. peta members went undercover as volu volunteers, shot video of the animals and handed that over to the sheriff's office. investigators went in and removed almost 200 animals includi

her visitation begins 1:00 at the first united methodist church of punta gorda. the service follows at 2:00. >>> this morning hundreds will say a final farewell in gulfport to a firefighter there who lost cancer. >> we have followed pete huffman's life for more than a year as he's attempted to change some florida state laws. florida is one of only 14 states that doesn't give firefighters medical benefits if they can't cancer an exposure to toxic chemicals on the job. huffman spent 35 years fighting fires. his funeral begins 10:00 at the pinellas park performing arts center. it will be followed by a procession to calvary catholic cemetery around 11:30. protests the situation much calmer overnight in milwaukee. the city implemented a 10:00 curfew for anyone under age 17. the wisconsin governor scott walker also ordered more than 100 national guard members on standby in case more violence broke out. the milwaukee police chief says officers made six arrests last night, there were some heated confrontations but no property damage. the violence began saturday after a b