Ferguson shooting: Wilson resigns five days after grand jury pardons him

The Ferguson police officer who was pardoned by a Missouri grand jury in the killing of an unarmed black teenager has resigned five days after the jury opted not to indict him.

Darren Wilson's, the 28-year-old Ferguson, MO police officer who shot and killed unarmed 18-year old Michael Brown, decision set off protests and demonstrations around the globe.

Even after a quiet Thanksgiving, protesters returned Friday night to clash with the National Guard and the Ferguson police officers. Wilson stepped down as the police department was receiving a number of threats, Deadline reported.

Wilson said in his resignation letter that he hereby resigns his commission as a police officer with the City of Ferguson effective immediately. He added that he has been told that his continued employment might put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that he cannot allow.

He further stated that for obvious reasons, he wanted to wait until the grand jury made their decision before he officially made his decision to resign.

Wilson claimed that it was his hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to him. He added that he hopes that his resignation would allow the community to heal.

Wilson had been with the force for six years. During the Ferguson incident, he was on paid leave, the report added.