The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A woman accidentally shot several times by a police officer Tuesday night during a Citizen Academy at the Punta Gorda Police Department has died, according to the Charlotte Sun.

Mary Knowlton, 73, was reportedly shot several times during a roleplay scenario in which the officer was playing a “bad guy” and Knowlton was playing the "victim," according to Sue Paquin, a photographer who was covering the event for the Sun and witnessed the incident.

The police officer apparently shot at Knowlton with live ammunition instead of blank rounds.

Man tells police 'Shoot me,' then slashes own throat

The victim was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. She was later pronounced dead, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department.

According to the Punta Gorda website, the Citizens Academy is a free, eight-session course of interactive classes to teach "the role and responsibility of the various City departments and services they provide to the community."

"I am devastated for everyone involved in this unimaginable event. 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," Punta Gorda police Chief Tom Lewis said in a statement.

Lewis contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is investigating the incident. The officer involved, who has not been named, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Contributing: Melissa Montoya, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press