DENVER -- Eight police officers won't be disciplined for their role in a deadly confrontation at the Denver Zoo in July.

Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez in a decision letter Friday says the officers used appropriate tactics and the least amount of force in response to 29-year-old Alonzo Ashley's actions.

Police have said that Ashley spun out of control, hitting one police officer and biting another. Police said a zoo employee was also bitten and suffered a head injury before Ashley was subdued.

Ashley stopped breathing after police used a stun gun and handcuffed Ashley and placed him on the ground with his legs flexed toward his buttocks.

Police responded to the zoo after a report of a man claiming to be a lion tackled and beat a zoo guard. Martinez said officers tried to deescalate the situation before subduing Ashley.

Ashley's family attorney is planning to sue and told The Denver Post that other witnesses contradict police statements.

Ashley's girlfriend has confirmed that he was upset and offering to fight zoo security officers, but she also told 7NEWS that Ashley appeared to be suffering from heat distress on a hot day. She said he was trying to cool off his head under a drinking fountain when a security guard told him to stop.