The officer involved has been placed on leave pending the outcome of this investigation.

US police in the Florida city of Punta Gorda say they are devastated after a training session with civilians turned fatal.

In a "shoot/don't shoot" role play scenario Mary Knowlton was randomly selected to play a "good guy" at the Citizens Academy at the Punta Gorda Police Department. A police officer was playing the "bad guy" and fired at Knowlton. However instead of blank rounds, live ammunition was accidentally used.

She was shot several times and was pronounced dead later in hospital.

Woman killed by cop during lethal force exercise at Punta Gorda Florida police department @WFLA pic.twitter.com/j7PsdlkzLn — Paul Michael Mueller (@WFLAPaulM) August 10, 2016

Punta Gorda police Chief Tom Lewis said in a statement that he was shocked.

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"If you pray, please pray for Mary's family, and for the officers who were involved. Everyone involved in this accident is in a state of overwhelming shock and grief," he said.

Release from Punta Gorda Police on fatal accident at Citizen Police Academy. #winknews pic.twitter.com/4Dy8bhPaTi — Sam Smink (@samsminkTV) August 10, 2016

News-Press reports that the Citizens Academy is a course offered to locals to get to know policing and local civics.

The officer involved has been placed on leave pending the outcome of this investigation.

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