(CNN) "Hands up, don't shoot" is now about more than the shooting that killed Michael Brown, but it's also not an accurate representation of the incident that sparked nationwide protests, federal investigators concluded in a report released Wednesday.

The Justice Department's investigation into Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson's shooting of Brown concluded that witness accounts that the African-American teenager surrendered with his hands up "do not support the prosecution of Wilson." The Justice Department decided not to pursue federal charges against Wilson after its investigation, it officially announced Wednesday.

Instead, the physical evidence and accounts by "credible witnesses" suggest Wilson shot Brown multiple times only as "Brown was moving toward Wilson," according to the report.

James Wright waits for the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church to open for the funeral service.

James Wright waits for the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church to open for the funeral service.

A hearse sits outside the church before the funeral.

A hearse sits outside the church before the funeral.

Mourners wait in line to enter the church.

Mourners wait in line to enter the church.

Filmmaker Spike Lee takes a picture of a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap that rests on top of Brown's casket.

Filmmaker Spike Lee takes a picture of a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap that rests on top of Brown's casket.

Funeral attendees raise their hands as they wait in line to enter the church on August 25.

Funeral attendees raise their hands as they wait in line to enter the church on August 25.

Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, arrives at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church for the funeral service.

Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, arrives at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church for the funeral service.

Funeral attendees sing before the start of the service on August 25.

Funeral attendees sing before the start of the service on August 25.

Brown's casket sits inside Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis before the start of his funeral.

Brown's casket sits inside Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis before the start of his funeral.

People sing during the funeral for Brown.

People sing during the funeral for Brown.

A Brown family member wears a tie with Michael Brown's face on it.

A Brown family member wears a tie with Michael Brown's face on it.

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during the funeral.

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during the funeral.

Mourners fill the pews for the funeral service at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis.

Mourners fill the pews for the funeral service at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis.

Family members touch the copper top of the vault containing Brown's casket.

Family members touch the copper top of the vault containing Brown's casket.

Michael Brown Sr. yells out as the casket holding the body of his son, Michael Brown, is lowered into the ground during his funeral service in St. Louis.

Michael Brown Sr. yells out as the casket holding the body of his son, Michael Brown, is lowered into the ground during his funeral service in St. Louis.

Michael Brown's casket arrives at St. Peter's Cemetery on Monday, August 25, 2014 for his funeral. Brown, 18, was shot and killed by police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown's death sparked protests in the St. Louis suburb, and a national debate about race and police actions.

Michael Brown's casket arrives at St. Peter's Cemetery on Monday, August 25, 2014 for his funeral. Brown, 18, was shot and killed by police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown's death sparked protests in the St. Louis suburb, and a national debate about race and police actions.

Physical and forensic evidence in fact contradict claims by witnesses who have maintained that Brown had his hands up, above his waist when Wilson shot him, the Justice Department concluded.

The results of the federal probe support claims support the detailed accounting St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch presented in a press conference announcing a grand jury's decision to not indict Wilson.

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"Although some witnesses state that Brown held his hands up at shoulder level with his palms facing outward for a brief moment, these same witnesses describe Brown then dropping his hands and 'charging' at Wilson," the report explains.

And the witnesses whose testimony did not contradict previous statements they made or the physical and forensic evidence never "perceived Brown to be attempting to surrender at any point when Wilson fired upon him."

Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters gather on the steps of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington on Tuesday, November 25. A grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in the August shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, has prompted demonstrations across the country. See photos of the unrest in Ferguson. Hide Caption 1 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A protester adds wood to a fire burning in Oakland, California, on November 25. Hide Caption 2 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A woman joins a rally near Los Angeles police headquarters on November 25. Hide Caption 3 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters gather in Eugene, Oregon, on November 25. Hide Caption 4 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters block all lanes of Interstate 75/85 northbound near the Georgia state Capitol in Atlanta on November 25. Hide Caption 5 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Businesses were looted in Oakland on November 25, including a T-Mobile store. Hide Caption 6 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. People march in Newark, New Jersey, on November 25. Hide Caption 7 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Hundreds of demonstrators gather to protest on November 25 in Washington. Hide Caption 8 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters gather outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters November 25. Hide Caption 9 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Schoolchildren from the Potomac Preparatory Charter School take part in a "die-in" during a protest outside the Office of Police Complaints as part of a planned "28 Hours for Mike Brown" protest November 25 in Washington. Hide Caption 10 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Students rally in support of victims of police brutality at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on November 25. Hide Caption 11 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Demonstrators gather November 25 outside the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct to protest Monday's announcement. Hide Caption 12 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters march up New York's Seventh Avenue on Monday, November 24. Hide Caption 13 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A protester in New York scuffles with police during a march toward Times Square on November 24. Hide Caption 14 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Demonstrators gather around a fire in the streets of Oakland, California, on November 24. Hide Caption 15 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters block Interstate 580 in Oakland on November 24. Hide Caption 16 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Seattle police attempt to push back protesters with pepper spray and flash-bang grenades on November 24. Hide Caption 17 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A Seattle protester pours milk in his eyes after being tear-gassed on November 24. Hide Caption 18 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A protester in Denver holds up his arms during a moment of silence November 24 at Civic Center Park. Hide Caption 19 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. A crowd in Washington gathers outside the White House on November 24. Hide Caption 20 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Demonstrators march down a street in Washington on November 24. Hide Caption 21 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Community activist Najee Ali speaks in Los Angeles' Leimert Park on November 24. Hide Caption 22 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters in Los Angeles lie down in a major intersection to block traffic on November 24. Hide Caption 23 of 24 Photos: Ferguson protests across U.S. Protesters march near Chicago police headquarters on November 24. Hide Caption 24 of 24

"To the contrary, several of these witnesses stated that they would have felt threatened by Brown and would have responded in the same way Wilson did," the report continued.

So what of the witnesses who claimed Brown had his hands up in a surrender position?

Several of those witnesses recanted their initial statements and confessed they did not witness the critical moment of the shootings or provided inconsistent statements. These include at least six witnesses, according to the report.

Two other witnesses -- who have stood by their testimony -- gave accounts to local and federal investigators that proved inconsistent with forensic evidence.

Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Officials released never-before-seen photos of Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson after it was announced Monday, November 24, that a grand jury had chosen not to indict Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown. These photos were taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown, and they were released as part of the evidence that was presented to the grand jury. Read what Wilson told the grand jury Hide Caption 1 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 2 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 3 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 4 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 5 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 6 of 7 Photos: Officer Darren Wilson Officer Darren Wilson – Another photo taken on the day of Wilson's altercation with Brown. Hide Caption 7 of 7

Those two witnesses' accounts proved also inconsistent with physical evidence in recounting the initial altercation between Brown and Wilson at the officer's SUV.

The Justice Department did not find grounds to charge Wilson, but did find evidence of systematic racial discrimination in Ferguson at the hands of the city's police department and municipal court.