( CNN ) -- A Florida grand jury this week found that two deputies in Pensacola should not be criminally charged in the wounding of an unarmed man , who was shot at 15 times while he was in his own driveway . Roy Middleton , 60 , was hit by two of those rounds in his legs . A metal rod had to be placed inside his left leg , which was shattered . He spoke to CNN exclusively in August . `` How do I feel about what happened ? How would anybody feel getting shot ? '' Middleton asked . Middleton 's attorney , Lorenzo Williams , told CNN on Wednesday that his client was distraught over the grand jury decision . `` This will not preclude Mr. Middleton from moving forward with a civil action , '' he said . The officers were in fear for their own safety , the sheriff said in an interview after the incident . The story began early July 27 when Middleton was returning to his Pensacola neighborhood . Searching for a cigarette while inside his white Lincoln Town Car , he appeared to have been mistaken for a car thief by a concerned neighbor who called 911 . Escambia County Sheriff 's Deputy Jeremiah Meeks and Sgt . Matthew White responded to the call . `` He came out of the car with more of a lunging motion coming out of the car , and the deputies were standing behind him and he had what appeared to be a metallic object in his hand , '' said Sheriff David Morgan . `` The tragedy of this is the noncompliance to the directions of law enforcement officers , '' Morgan said in August . `` Had that occurred , we would n't be having this discussion . It 's a tragedy all the way around . He is both a suspect and a victim . '' According to the investigative report , Middleton had his keys and a small flashlight in his hand . Meeks testified that he thought a gun was being pointed at him . He fired 12 shots and White fired three times . The case was turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ( FDLE ) . It provided a report to the Escambia County State Attorney , which took the case to the grand jury . In the FDLE report , Middleton allegedly told investigators that he used crack cocaine and alcohol the day before , but only drank two beers earlier on the day of the shooting . But , the investigative report also states , `` Toxicology records reflected the presence of cocaine and amphetamines in a urine sample taken from Middleton upon being admitted to the emergency room . '' Middleton 's attorney says the drugs allegedly in his client 's system do not matter . `` I do n't think it had any effect whatsoever . How did they make an observation that he was committing a crime ? How could he present harm to a law enforcement officer ? He was found by his car , with blood on the seat , '' said Williams . Middleton was among those testifying before the grand jury . Last month , District Attorney Bill Eddins told CNN , `` this ( case ) is a little different than a typical case where a prosecutor seeks an indictment . I am remaining neutral . '' `` In this community , in order for the general public to have confidence in the criminal justice system , it 's more appropriate for a cross-section of our community to review the case , `` Eddins said . `` It would be more appropriate for the grand jury to decide . The grand jury recommended more intensive training for the first four years of an officer 's career , and that this case be re-created for training purposes . Morgan , in a statement released Wednesday , said his office will begin an internal investigation to determine whether there were any policy violations in the shooting . `` The outcome of this internal investigation will be based on facts and law , just as the process has been to this point . The deputies involved are assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the internal investigation , '' he said in a press release . But Williams believes the grand jury 's message to the sheriff bolsters his client 's case . `` They have to improve their training programs , '' he told CNN . `` It sends a strong signal to the sheriff 's department that they are negligent in the training of their officers in the use of deadly force . '' Florida police run over man , killing him .
Roy Middleton was shot by Escambia County sheriff 's officers . A grand jury declines to indict them in July incident . Sheriff maintains that Middleton did not respond to the deputies ' commands .