Darren Wilson's Resignation No Consolation For Protesters Angry Over Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- The white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri has resigned.
Darren Wilson turned in his badge Saturday, nearly 4 months after the deadly incident that divided a community and much of the nation, including the Bay Area.
There have been protests here every night since the grand jury decided not to indict Wilson for killing 18-year old Michael Brown.
Wilson no longer has a job, but protesters say that doesn't make them feel any better about him not having to face a jury.
Wilson's attorney says his resignation is effective immediately. It comes just days after he went on ABC News to defend his decision to shoot Brown.
"The reason I have a clear conscience is because I know I did my job right," said Wilson. "I said get back or I'm gonna shoot you… then his response, immediately he grabbed the top of my gun."
Wilson said he could feel Brown's hand over his hand trying to get inside the trigger guard and shoot him with his own gun. He claims that is when he pulled the trigger for the first time.
According to police, Wilson fired his gun another 11 times. Brown was hit by six, and the last bullet killed him.
The grand jury's decision touched off protests in Ferguson and around the country, including here in the Bay Area.
Demonstrations in Oakland and San Francisco quickly went from peaceful to violent. There have been more than 200 arrests between the 2 cities.
Many protestors say the resignation brings them no peace.
"You took somebody's life...yhey took your job," said Christian Adkins. "You can go find another job, you cannot get that life back."
"We need to continue this movement because black lives matter," said Alicia Street.
Wilson had been on administrative leave since the August 9th shooting. He said in his resignation letter that he had no choice but to resign. He wrote:
"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."
In his letter, Wilson added that he hopes his resignation will allow the community to heal. He thanked his supporters and his fellow Ferguson police officers.