The South Bend police officer who shot and killed a black man while on duty a month ago has resigned. The South Bend Fraternal Order of Police announced Sergeant Ryan O’Neill’s resignation yesterday.

In a statement, FOP local president Harvey Mills wrote that the stress of a pending lawsuit, national media attention, and social media have been difficult for Sgt. O’Neill and his family.

“These fights are just too much for Sgt. O’Neill and his family to undertake right now,” Mills concluded.

South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski confirmed that O’Neill has resigned “effective immediately.”

Activists who had called for O’Neill to leave the force welcomed the news saying it was an important step in the healing of the South Bend community.