Ex-DeKalb Cop Torrey Thompson Cleared in Shooting Death

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - The DeKalb County district attoey's office dropped murder charges against a former police officer accused of shooting an unarmed suspect. Torrey Thompson was indicted in 2008, after a storm of protests, over a dozen police involved shootings in DeKalb County.

Back in 2008, District Attoey Gwen Keyes Fleming said the shooting death of 21-year-old Lorenzo Matthews was unjustified.

Investigators said they went to the Westgate Manor Apartments looking for an armed robbery suspect. According to police, Matthews ran out the back door and a foot chase ensued. Investigators said Thompson fired, killing Matthews.

An investigation found that Matthews was unarmed. Thompson said he fired because he felt his life was threatened.

A federal grand jury indicted Thompson for Matthews' murder.

There were 31 officer involved shootings in DeKalb County in 2006. This is the only case where a death resulted in criminal charges filed against a DeKalb County officer.