KING-TV, Seattle 6:07 p.m. EDT September 9, 2015

Antonio Zambrano-Montes in this photo provided by his mother.(Photo: AP)

PASCO, Wash. — The Franklin County prosecutor announced Wednesday he will not charge three police officers who shot an unarmed Mexican man here earlier this year.

Prosecutor Shawn Sant announced his decision regarding the Feb. 10 shooting of Antonio Zambrano-Montes.

"Law enforcement officers do not have the option of walking away to dial 911. They are 911," Sant said.

Sant said there was probable cause that Zambrano-Montes posed a serious threat to others.

"I believe a jury would not find the evidence of malice and the absence of good faith beyond a reasonable doubt in this case. We legally cannot charge police officers with a crime for exercising their discretion for using force in good faith and without malice," he said.

As Sant read his statement, people in the courtroom called out, protesting his decision.

The attorney for Zambrano-Montes' wife and children released a statement in response to the prosecutors decision.

"We are not surprised by this decision but disgusted and disappointed. This is precisely the reason why we continually asked for an independent criminal investigation take place," the statement read in part.

Protesters at rally in Pasco. (Photo: John Langeler / KING)

The shooting was captured on video and sparked weeks of protests in Pasco.

The 35-year-old Zambrano-Montes was throwing rocks at motorists and police when he was shot. The death of the orchard worker who was here illegally drew outrage from as far away as Mexico.

The three officers were placed on paid leave after the shooting. One officer, Ryan Flanagan, has resigned in a move his lawyer says was unrelated to the shooting. The other two, Adam Wright and Adrian Alaniz, remain on paid leave.

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