An Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy under review for shooting a man in May has been found to be justified in her actions.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Tuesday that Deputy Elisa Tino was cleared of any wrongdoing and that no charges will be filed against her, according to the state attorney’s office.
Tino responded to a call May 15 for a person driving erratically along Mary Esther Cut-Off. She pulled over the driver, 34-year-old Eric Moore.
When Tino went back to her vehicle to run a check on Moore, he got out of the vehicle, ran off and hid in some bushes near the Lee Chrysler Dodge Jeepdealership, according to information included in a news release from state attorney’s office.
Tino told FDLE investigators she had drawn her weapon and was searching for Moore when he came out of the bushes and hit her in the face. When Moore came back at her, Tino shot him twice, once in each shoulder, the state attorney’s office reported.
She told investigators she tried to help Moore, but he got up and ran away as another deputy arrived.
The deputies caught up with Moore and the other deputy tased him to bring him under control.
Moore later told investigators he ran from Tino because he knew he had an active warrant in Georgia. He also was heard at the scene saying he was high and had taken xanax and valium and methamphetamine, according to the state attorney’s office.
He had a closed pocket knife in his hand when he was arrested, according to the report.
Moore was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting a law enforcement officer with force. Driving under the influence charges still were pending as of Tuesday.
Florida Statutes state that a law enforcement officer is “justified in the use of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or another from bodily harm while making an arrest,” according to the state attorney’s office.
The investigation found that “the actions and choices of Eric Moore … led to his being shot,” the news release said.