An inquest jury Wednesday largely vindicated London police over a fatal shooting that set off a wave of rioting across England more than two years ago, finding that officers acted lawfully when they shot 29-year-old Mark Duggan through the chest.

The jurors' decision — by a majority of eight to two — could play a critical role in shaping the nation's understanding of the riots, the worst civil unrest England has seen in a generation.

Some argued that Duggan's death during a confrontation on Aug. 4, 2011, was unjustified, and that outrage over the killing had tapped into an undercurrent of rage over unemployment, inequality, and police abuses. Others portrayed the rioters as opportunistic criminals, using anger over the death of a gangland figure as an excuse to indulge in looting and mayhem.

Police had come under intense scrutiny over their role in the killing. The jury did criticize police, saying they should have done more intelligence work in the run-up to the confrontation. But on the most important question — whether or not officers acted lawfully when they killed Duggan — they accepted their arguments that they genuinely believed Duggan was armed when he was shot.

Duggan's family and supporters were shocked at the findings. One family member shouted an obscenity at jurors as they left the court. Outside, supporters chanted "no justice, no peace."

"They can't believe that this has been the outcome," family lawyer Marcia Willis Stewart said.

Inquests are held in Britain to investigate violent or unexplained deaths. They don't rule on guilt or innocence, but they often play an important role in establishing the facts surrounding controversial cases. (AP)