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Commissioner Reacts To Officer Cleared In Shooting Of DeCarlos Moore

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) - The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has released its ruling on the shooting death of an unarmed man during a traffic stop.

The 17-page report details the July 2010 police-involved shooting where 36-year-old DeCarlos Moore died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The findings clear officer Joseph Marin of any wrong-doing.

Marin's attorney argued the rookie officer feared for his life when Moore reached into his car during a traffic stop.

"You have to respect that, whether you agree with it or not," said Miami Commissioner Richard Dunn, who was with Moore's family Thursday at the State Attorney's Office as investigators detailed their findings.

"While not agreeing necessarily with the findings, they're going to respect it," said Dunn.

Investigators interviewed three police officers and seven civilian witnesses. While the stories had some inconsistencies, almost all witnesses said Moore got out of the car, ran back, then reached into the car for something. that's when officer Marin shot Moore in the head.

The report says Moore was shot in the forehead.

Officer Marin and his partner believed Moore's car had been stolen. But, the report says it was not.

Investigators did find crack cocaine on the scene, but no weapon was ever found on Moore or in his car.

Commissioner Dunn hopes the community respects the State Attorney's findings.

"If the family is showing resolve, and strength, and respect, then I believe the community can do no less," said Commissioner Dunn.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is still investigating the seven other deadly shootings involved City of Miami police officers.

Click here to read the entire report from the State Attorney's Office.

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