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Grand jury declines to indict Fort Pierce officer in fatal shooting

Police say officer was justified in use of force
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Posted at 10:20 AM, May 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-31 10:26:23-04

A grand jury has declined to indict a Fort Pierce police officer who shot and killed a suspect who was attacking another person last year, according to the department.

Fort Pierce police say officer Steven Graziano was justified in his use of force and will not face criminal charges in the death of Jesus Lainez on December 6, 2018.

The grand jury issued a "no true bill" in the officer-involved shooting that happened in the 100 block of Alma Court.

"This goes to show that, when it comes to our officers, their life is always on the line and we put our lives on the line for the protection of others and this is an example of that," Fort Pierce Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney said in a statement at the time.

Police were responding to a call of a disturbance.

Police said the victim who was attacked has recovered from his injuries.

The department says officer Graziano is currently assigned to the Community Policing Bureau as a patrol officer. He has been with the department since 2016.