Police officer accidentally shot and killed by retired lieutenant during training exercise at DC library

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A retired Washington DC police officer has been charged with manslaughter after a city library police officer was shot and killed during a training session.

Officials say that Jesse Porter, 58, was conducting the session on baton use for special police officers at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library when he fired a shot that killed Maurica Manyan.

First responders were called to the scene and found the 25-year-old victim had been shot in a conference room and was “unconscious and not breathing”.

Mr Porter, who retired as a Metro PD lieutenant in 2020, was working as a private contractor and leading a session on the use of retractable batons.

He was arrested on an involuntary manslaughter charge after police consulted with prosecutors from the US attorney’s office in Washington.

The trainer drew a pistol to illustrate how quickly it could be done and fired one shot, hitting the special officer in the chest, a source told News4.

Officials say there were six people in the room at the time of the incident but no one else was hurt.

Washington DC’s public library system has a full-time force of police officers who ensure security at the branches.

Detectives were called to the scene and are investigating why the trainer’s weapon had live ammunition in it.

“I don’t have answers as to why the live firearm was in ASP baton training,” Chief Robert Contee said. “I don’t have those answers for you right now.”