In detailing the decision not to bring charges, McGinty said police radio personnel contributed to the tragedy by failing to pass along the "all-important fact" that the 911 caller said the gunman was probably a youngster and the gun probably wasn't real.
Before police arrived, the youngster was seen repeatedly drawing the gun from his waistband and pointing it at other children, Meyer said.
"There have been lessons learned already. It should never happen again, and the city has taken steps so it doesn't," McGinty said.
The Cleveland police department is putting dashboard cameras in every car and equipping officers with body cams. Also, the police reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department this year to overhaul the use of force. The settlement was prompted largely by a car chase that ended with the killing of a couple in a 137-shot barrage of police gunfire.
In a statement, Tamir's family said it was "saddened and disappointed by this outcome — but not surprised." It accused the prosecutor of "abusing and manipulating the grand jury process to orchestrate a vote against indictment."
Among other things, the family charged that McGinty improperly hired use-of-force experts to tell the grand jury that Loehmann's actions were reasonable.
The family renewed its request for the Justice Department to step in and conduct "a real investigation." Federal prosecutors in Cleveland noted Monday that a civil rights investigation into the shooting is already underway.
Also, Mayor Frank Jackson said the city and police department will conduct an internal review that could result in disciplinary action against the two officers.
In addition, Tamir's family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the two officers and the city.
McGinty said it was a "tough conversation" with Tamir's mother when she was told there would be no charges. "She was broken up, and it was very hard," the prosecutor said.
Both officers insisted that they shouted at Tamir repeatedly to show his hands before Loehmann opened fire from a distance estimated at 4½ to seven feet. Loehmann fired twice, with one shot missing the boy.
"With his hands pulling the gun out and his elbow coming up, I knew it was a gun and it was coming out. I saw the weapon in his hands coming out of his waistband and the threat to my partner and myself was real and active," Loehmann told investigators.
After the boy's killing, it was learned that Loehmann had washed out from the police force in the Cleveland suburb of Independence. Loehmann was "dismal" with a handgun, broke down in tears at the gun range and was emotionally immature, according to files. He quit the force before he could be fired.
Steve Loomis, the head of Cleveland's police union, said the organization is pleased with the grand jury's finding but said the decision "is no cause for celebration, and there will be none."
Outside the recreation center, protesters chanted, "No justice, no peace!" Art Blakey of Cleveland held a sign that read "Indict, Convict, Send Killer Cops to Jail!" He said he wasn't surprised by the grand jury decision.
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