LAKELAND, Fla. — The fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who police said drove toward Lakeland officers last year has been ruled justified by the State Attorney's Office.

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Michael Taylor, 17, was shot and killed by Lakeland officers in December.

A crowd of about 200 people had gathered in the parking lot at Salem's Restaurant at 101 E. Memorial Blvd. Officers responded to the location after a tip from Polk County Sheriff's deputies, and officers spotted a stolen black Chevy Camaro when they arrived.

Police said they approached the vehicle and gave Taylor repeated commands but said Taylor drove at a high rate of speed near the crowd and at officers.

Taylor was shot multiple times. Three officers who fired their weapons, and two officers who were witnesses were interveiwed as part of the investigation.

"This person ignored multiple verbal commands," Police Chief Larry Giddens said after the incident. "All that suspect had to do was follow those commands and the next 46 seconds wouldn't have happened and he wouldn't have lost his life tragically." 

A letter clearing the officers was released this week by Assistant State Attorney Paul Wallace.