The police officer who fatally shot a defenseless youth in Ferguson has said his resignation is for the lives of his colleagues.

Officer Wilson’s action sparked protests across the United States, and violent ensued as a result, burning and looting.

Amidst the unrest, the shooting officer is said to have received threats, compelling him to resign or have the blood of his colleagues on his conscience.

The incident has been widely regarded as ‘racial’ after a grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson for shooting unarmed 18 years old Brown.

Officer Wilson claimed he could have waited for the final court outcome of the case, but for the sake of his friends and the entire community, he’s leaving the force.

“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,” Mr. Wilson wrote in his resignation letter.

Ferguson is a black dominated city, and Darren Wilson is a white guy. Wilson’s defensive explanation to the killing was not generally acceptable, with many saying; he has other defensive options to killing Brown.