Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer, has been identified as the cop who shot unarmed teen Michael Brown.

Who Is Darren Wilson?

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson revealed that it was Wilson, 28, that shot and killed Brown on Friday, nearly a week after the incident that led to riots in the Missouri town. According to Jackson, Wilson was distraught following. Brown’s death and that he had not meant for the confrontation to end as it did.

“He never intended for any of this to happen,” Jackson told reporters. “It’s devastating, absolutely devastating.”
At some point after the shooting, Wilson left his home out of concern for his safety. He’s been placed on paid leave while Brown’s death is investigated.

Brown had been walking down a street with a friend of his when Wilson was conducting a routine patrol in the area. Unaware of Brown’s alleged theft from a convenience store earlier that day, Wilson approached Brown. Ferguson police claim that an altercation ensued in which Brown tried to take Wilson’s gun and assaulted him, leading the officer to shoot. Brown’s friend, Dorian Johnson, has contested the police report, claiming that Brown never reached for the gun and that Wilson had been the aggressor.

Before Wilson’s name was released, his father, John Wilson, had posted a vague message on Facebook asking friends and family for prayers.

"Dear FB friends, our family is in need for prayers to be sent up for a family member,” John Wilson wrote, according to Yahoo News. “Circumstances do not allow for us to say anything further. Please pray with our family in mind. Put a covering of protection over our family member please."

Wilson has been with the Ferguson police department for four years following two years serving as a police officer in a neighboring town. Wilson, who has no history of disciplinary actions, received a Commendation from the department earlier this year, though the reason for the recognition is unknown.