AKRON, Ohio -- The Summit County Prosecutor's Office cleared an Akron police officer in the shooting death of a 29-year-old man who fired a shot during a scuffle with the officer.

Raupheal Thomas, 29, was shot to death Nov. 3 as he ran away from officers after firing a shot at close range during a struggle with a 15-year veteran of the Akron Police Department, according to a report released Wednesday by the prosecutor's office.

"A reasonable officer would have quickly determined that a significant use of force was necessary to prevent harm to himself or others," Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh wrote in a report released Wednesday.

The report does not identify the officer by name and only refers to him as "Involved Officer #1." Both the prosecutor's office and the police department have refused multiple requests to release the officer's name since the November incident. Akron Police Chief James Nice on Wednesday said the officer received serious threats over the shooting.

The 6-4, 264-pound Thomas was high on methamphetamine on Nov. 3 as he fought with neighborhood residents and eventually the police, according to the prosecutor's report.

Thomas was standing at the intersection of Orrin Street and Roslyn Avenue while his friend was getting a flat tire repaired. He stood by himself down the road because he feared of being shot by enemies at what he described as a "gangster gas station," the report says.

Neighborhood residents became wary of Thomas and his friend because because of a rash of break-ins in the area.

Several residents, including an off-duty police officer, approached Thomas who argued that he was allowed to stand on the sidewalk.

The off-duty officer called a patrolman's cellphone, and then called to dispatch to report that two men were casing the neighborhood. Officers pulled up and asked Thomas why he was there. They also asked if he had anything illegal with him.

Thomas became angry. His friend, Jesse Gray, told police that he believed Thomas was upset because he had a gun despite a felony record.

Officers tried to get Thomas to put his hands on their cruiser in order to pat him down to search for weapons. Thomas began fighting with the officers. An officer tried to place Thomas in handcuffs because he believed Thomas was reaching for a weapon in his waistband, the report says.

Thomas spun around to face the officer. The officer tried to use a stun gun on him, but failed, according to the report. The two officers then tackled Thomas to the ground and a scuffle ensued.

Thomas kept reaching for his waistband as the officers tried to grab his arms to handcuff him. Thomas eventually pulled out a gun, according to the report. One officer grabbed Thomas' gun hand and yelled to alert the other officer. Thomas eventually pointed the gun towards the officer, who fought for control of the gun.

The officer pushed the gun upwards as it fired. The officer was not injured. Thomas broke away from the officer and ran.

The officer fired one shot but Thomas kept running. He fired a second shot that hit Thomas in the back. Thomas dropped his gun and fell to the ground. He later died from the wound, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner.

The officer told investigators that he believed Thomas was going to shoot him or his partner. The Summit County Prosecutor also noted that the officer became emotional when describing the fight for the gun.

Thomas was the father of a young daughter and had several felony convictions.

"It is clear from our investigation that the police officer, having barely escaped a gunshot to his head, reasonably feared for his life, the safety of his fellow officers, and residents of the neighborhood," Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said in a statement. "Based on all the evidence, the officer involved acted within his authority and was legally justified when he used deadly force against Mr. Thomas."