After Furguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson, 28, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, during an altercation, protesters in that town began burning police cars, smashing and looting storefront windows and firing gunshots, shortly after the verdict was read that the officer would not be indicted.
Now Wilson’s lawyer has said his client will be leaving the police force.
Attorney Neil Bruntrager revealed that Wilson is presently in talks with the Ferguson Police Department regarding the terms of his departure. “There’s no way in the world he can go back to being a police officer. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” Bruntrager remarked.
The situation in Ferguson quickly devolved into sheer pandemonium after the verdict was announced, and the police department has been under fire.
Ferguson Chief says he has not resigned, He has not been told to resign. He has not been fired. If he leaves, it will be his choice alone.
— Ferguson Police Dept (@FPD_PUBLIC_INFO) October 29, 2014
Some protesters have broken the windows of the businesses near the police department #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/akXuYKXIJq
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) November 25, 2014
NOW: Earplugs being given out outside of the #Ferguson Police Department pic.twitter.com/uIMAh7tOjr
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) November 25, 2014
Outside the Ferguson Police Department right now. https://t.co/aOOP7dBZme
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) November 25, 2014
Bruntrager noted that though Wilson maintains a clear conscience over the shooting, it would be impossible for him to return to any police force.
“The first day he would be back on the street something terrible would happen to him or to someone that would be working with him,” Bruntrager remarked. “The last thing he wants is to put other police officers at risk,” the attorney added.
After Wilson found out his home address had been leaked online, he literally left half of his lawn mowed, grabbed some bags, and went into hiding. He is said have been couch surfing, and spanning time in dark movie theaters to avoid being noticed.
“Realistically, he [Wilson] can’t go back to being a police officer,” Bruntrager said. “He knows that. There’s no illusion about any of this. But it’s the way in which he leaves … that’s important to him on different levels.”