$2M settlement in Punta Gorda citizen’s academy shooting approved

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — City council members on Wednesday unanimously approved a more than $2 million settlement in the fatal shooting of a citizen’s academy attendee by a city police officer in August.

The $2,060,234.23 settlement exempts the city from further legal action by the victim’s family, according to the settlement.

Mary Knowlton, 73, of Punta Gorda, was shot and killed during a training exercise.

Lee Coel, the officer involved in the shooting, was placed on two-week administrative leave following the incident.

Knowlton’s husband, Gary, was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.