Reaction mixed over firing of Punta Gorda officer

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. There’s little debate regarding whether former officer Lee Coel shot and killed Mary Knowlton during a citizen’s academy class in August 2016.

But opinions are mixed whether he should’ve been fired.

Coel, who was dismissed on Friday, faces a first-degree manslaughter charge for killing the 73-year-old during a “shoot, don’t shoot” training exercise.

“Your conduct during that exercise in failing to take appropriate and reasonable steps to ensure the safety of Mary Knowlton and in failing to ensure that no live ammunition was used during the exercise would, if true, constitute sufficient cause for disciplinary action up to and including potential discharge,” said a Feb. 22 letter to Coel and his attorney.

A second letter notified Coel of his termination.

“If he was the one that put the bullet or anything with that lady getting killed, murdered is how i feel, then they need to get rid of him,” resident Roy Amidon said. “His mistake is not forgivable enough to put him back into the police department or police anywhere.”

Richard Ybarra saw the incident as a tragic accident.

“There’s got to be a scapegoat and I guess this officer is,” he said. “Somebody has to be accountable for what happened. “Somebody else in charge should have checked the ammunition or checked the gun and then give it to him. At least get around three or four checks before you start letting people in for a demonstration.”

Coel has 10 days to appeal the city’s decision.