Officer Darren Wilson identified by Ferguson police as cop

who shot, killed 18-year-old Michael Brown

Ferguson, Mo., police have identified Officer Darren Wilson as the cop who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Despite a string of violent protests in the St. Louis area that prompted police to unleash tear gas and rubber bullets on demonstrators who demanded the cop’s name, officers refused to identify Wilson for nearly a week, citing concerns for his safety.

It's not clear if Wilson, a six-year veteran of the force, will face charges for the Saturday shooting. He does not have a history of disciplinary action and is currently on paid administrative leave.

On the day of the shooting, Wilson responded to a strong-arm robbery at a Ferguson convenience store just before noon. Surveillance video showed the robber punching the store’s clerk and stealing cigars.
Brown was named as the primary suspect in that robbery, according to a police report obtained by St. Louis' KMOV. read more Protest of Brown"s death
At 12:01 p.m., Wilson encountered Brown and the teen’s friend walking in the street near the store. A second officer was responded to the scene minutes later.

Brown's friend Dorian Johnson claimed the officer fatally shot the teen after he demanded the two friends walk on the sidewalk instead of in the road. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson maintained either Brown or Johnson tried to grab the cop's gun, prompting the officer to shoot.

The force was set to identify Wilson Tuesday but decided to keep his name concealed after the department received several death threats.

On Thursday, notorious hacking collective Anonymous posted the name and photos of a man it claimed was the officer responsible for Brown's death. Police rebutted the identity, claiming the accused man was not even an officer in either St. Louis or Ferguson.