In a three-page memorandum, Assistant State Attorney Robin Arnold stated, “It appears from the evidence and testimony that Larry Ray was legally justified in using deadly force against Jack Merriman Jr.”

OCALA — Prosecutors have determined that the shooting death of a 42-year-old man in August was justified and no charges will be filed against the shooter.

In a three-page memorandum, Assistant State Attorney Robin Arnold stated, “It appears from the evidence and testimony that Larry Ray was legally justified in using deadly force against Jack Merriman Jr.”

The shooting occurred Aug. 11 in the 20300 block of First Street in McIntosh.

Arnold’s report states that Merriman’s mother, Connie Close, and her fiancé, Ray, were at the residence when Close heard the door scuff against the ground. She said Merriman then was standing over her and demanding $30. Ray stepped in to defend her during an altercation, then left to get his gun, which deputies said was a .40-caliber. The report states that Merriman then lunged at his mother and Ray stepped in and fought with Merriman.

According to the report, Merriman was given $20 and Ray fired a shot at Merriman, who left.

Ray called 911 and was talking with an operator when Merriman came back inside the home and grabbed a knife. Close warned Ray that her son had a knife. Merriman went after Ray with the knife and Ray shot Merriman, the report states.

Arnold noted that Merriman was shot in the chest, side and back.

Ray told the 911 operator that he had fired “point blank” and that he was going to do CPR on Merriman until deputies could arrive.

“The evidence at the scene was consistent with the reports given by Larry and Connie, including a large serrated bread knife located where the witnesses described the decedent had fallen upon being shot,” Arnold’s report states.

Sheriff’s Office officials said Merriman, Ray and Close all lived at the residence.

Arnold said in the report that Ray was in his home and on the phone with a 911 operator following a physical altercation with Merriman when “the decedent re-entered the home (where he also lived) and armed himself with a knife and came at Larry.” Arnold said Ray was defending himself and provided two state statues to show Ray had a right to defend himself.

Authorities were told that several weeks before the Aug. 11 incident, Merriman had hit Ray in the face during an argument and Merriman had been taken to a mental health facility under the Baker Act, according to Arnold’s report.

Close said Tuesday that neither she or Ray would comment for this article.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.