Michael Brown Story and Tensions News: Officer Darren Wilson Hopes Resignation Will 'Heal' the Ferguson, Missouri Community
The police officer involved in the shooting of Michael Brown has resigned, according to a letter from his lawyer released on Saturday night.
Darren Wilson has worked for the department since 2011. His lawyer Neil J. Bruntrager sent in the resignation letter, which was first published in the St. Louis Dispatcher. According to Reuters, Wilson said he intended to continue with police work, but after the reaction of a non indictment verdict by a grand jury in his shooting of Michael Brown turned violent, he could no longer continue as part of the force.
"It was my hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to me. It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal," Wilson said in the letter.
The officer-involved shooting occurred Aug. 9. It led to civil unrest in the St. Louis area, and people nationwide called for WIlson's firing or resignation.
Even the NAACP got involved and demanded Wilson be cut from the Ferguson police force. Now that Wilson is officially resigned, some at the NAACP are satisfied.
Adolphus Pruitt of the St. Louis chapter told The New York Times that Wilson's resigning "not only fulfills one of the demands of the protesters, but also provides for one of the steps necessary for the wholesale reconstructions of law enforcement in Ferguson."
Despite his resignation, many in the Ferguson area are still protesting. They are calling for Wilson to be indicted. There were even reports of shots fired near the police station Saturday night. The National Guard has been trying to protect key buildings such as City Hall and the police station.
What do you think about the civil unrest in Ferguson? Should Officer Wilson have resigned? Should he be charged? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.
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