Never to Hate....

Mary Knowlton and Her Husband.

Mary Knowlton, a retired librarian from Minnesota and a married mother of two grown sons, had signed up for a course [citizen police academy drill]  after two recent break-ins in her neighborhood.
She also was trying to show support for police officers after the recent deadly attacks on police in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Florida retiree was fatally shot during a citizen police academy drill while playing the part of an intruder, her son said. She was struck by a live round while almost three dozen other participants looked on, police said.

Mary Knowlton's son  told NBC News that he forgives the officer who fired the fatal shot that killed his mom at the Police Department event.  "My mom taught us never to hate," Steve Knowlton said. "I can't harbor hate."

Adam Knowlton said he was supposed to celebrate his 50th birthday with his parents and his dad was "hysterical" when he was told the news.

Punta Gorda's city manager expressed condolences Wednesday.
"We are shocked by this horrific accident and are grieving deeply over Mary's passing," Howard Kunik said. "We also would like to acknowledge the impact this has had on the other participants who were present during this tragedy."

How sad is that, the mother who died, and the officer who lives with that for the rest of his life.