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Ferguson shooting: Darren Wilson quits police force Ferguson shooting: Darren Wilson quits police force
(35 minutes later)
US police officer Darren Wilson - who fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, triggering nationwide riots - has resigned, his lawyer says.US police officer Darren Wilson - who fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, triggering nationwide riots - has resigned, his lawyer says.
Neil Bruntrager said his client had been on administrative leave since the 9 August shooting in Ferguson.Neil Bruntrager said his client had been on administrative leave since the 9 August shooting in Ferguson.
The Missouri town and other US cities saw several days of rioting and looting this week after a jury decided not to bring charges over the killing. He is reported as saying he quit because of safety concerns.
Mr Wilson, who is white, said he had acted in accordance with the law. Ferguson, Missouri, and other US cities saw several days of rioting and looting this week after a jury decided not to bring charges over the killing.
Family 'crushed' 'Resignation letter'
Mr Bruntrager made the announcement on Saturday, saying the resignation was effective immediately, according to the Associated Press.Mr Bruntrager made the announcement on Saturday, saying the resignation was effective immediately, according to the Associated Press.
He declined to provide any further comments, but said more details would be released shortly. Mr Wilson's police department - where the officer has served six years - has so far not confirmed his resignation.
But the St Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper said the 28-year-old Mr Wilson had decided to step down after his police department received threats of violence if he stayed on as an employee.
The newspaper published what it said was his resignation letter, which read: "I have been told that my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow.
"For obvious reasons, I wanted to wait until the grand jury made their decision before I officially made my decision to resign.
"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."
Family 'crushed'
Earlier this week, Mr Wilson told US media that before the shooting, Mr Brown had pushed him back into his car, hit him and grabbed at his drawn gun, and said that he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to [US wrestler] Hulk Hogan".Earlier this week, Mr Wilson told US media that before the shooting, Mr Brown had pushed him back into his car, hit him and grabbed at his drawn gun, and said that he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to [US wrestler] Hulk Hogan".
The policeman said he had feared for his life.The policeman said he had feared for his life.
Mr Brown's supporters said he was attempting to surrender to the policeman when he was shot. Some witnesses said the teenager, who was unarmed, had his hands up.Mr Brown's supporters said he was attempting to surrender to the policeman when he was shot. Some witnesses said the teenager, who was unarmed, had his hands up.
However, the state prosecutor said physical evidence had contradicted some of the witness statements.However, the state prosecutor said physical evidence had contradicted some of the witness statements.
The family of Mr Brown, who was 18, have said they felt "crushed" by the decision.The family of Mr Brown, who was 18, have said they felt "crushed" by the decision.
Their son was killed after being shot six or seven times.Their son was killed after being shot six or seven times.
Many in the African-American community had called for Mr Wilson to be charged with murder, but after three months of deliberation a Missouri grand jury - of nine white and three black members - made no recommendation of charges.Many in the African-American community had called for Mr Wilson to be charged with murder, but after three months of deliberation a Missouri grand jury - of nine white and three black members - made no recommendation of charges.
The decision means Mr Wilson will not face state criminal charges over the shooting.The decision means Mr Wilson will not face state criminal charges over the shooting.
It also triggered a nationwide debate over relations between black communities and law enforcement.It also triggered a nationwide debate over relations between black communities and law enforcement.
Protests were held in a number of US cities, including New York, Washington and Los Angeles.Protests were held in a number of US cities, including New York, Washington and Los Angeles.
More than 100 people were arrested during the demonstrations.More than 100 people were arrested during the demonstrations.
The US justice department has also launched a federal investigation into whether Mr Wilson violated Mr Brown's civil rights.The US justice department has also launched a federal investigation into whether Mr Wilson violated Mr Brown's civil rights.
Are you in Ferguson, Missouri? What is your reaction to Officer Wilson's resignation? Send your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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