Columbus police officer who killed teen after chase resigns amid investigation

An officer who fatally shot a 17-year-old in November after he allegedly fled in a stolen vehicle has resigned from the Columbus Police Department, Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell confirmed. 

Allan Brown, who has been on the force for five years, submitted his letter of resignation on Thursday. He served his last day with the agency the following day. 

When asked about the reason behind his resignation, Hollowell stated that it was a personal decision between him and his family. She didn’t elaborate. 

Brown’s resignation comes about two weeks after a grand jury in Russell County reviewed evidence of the incident that led to Christian Redwine’s death and found that the officer committed no wrongdoing.

Brown, who was a first-class officer at the time, was placed on administrative leave as the Alabama Bureau of Investigation looked into the Nov. 6 incident. He was placed on desk duty as the police department simultaneously conducted an internal investigation.

Hollowell said Tuesday evening that Brown remains under an internal investigation. 

Officials said Redwine was driving a Pontiac G-6 stolen from a close friend of his grandmother on Nov. 6 when he fled from authorities near Columbus State University’s main campus on University Avenue. The passengers in the car were identified as 18-year-old Hannah Wuenschel and 19-year-old Hunter Tillis. 

Authorities said Redwine wrecked near the Phenix City exit onto Riverchase Drive before Brown arrived on the scene. The officer believed Redwine was trying to run him over when the teen shifted the car into reverse, according to police.

Attorney Mike Garner, who represents Wuenschel, said Redwine was trying only to back out of a hole. He said Redwine was shot seven times, Wuenschel two or three times, and Tillis at least twice.

Police have not stated how many times the officer fired his weapon.

Redwine was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two suspects were treated at Midtown Medical Center and released. 

Wuenschel and Tillis continue to face burglary charges linked to the stolen property authorities said they found in the Pontiac after the chase. The items were taken from the Midtown Medical Center on Center Street and the Country Inn & Suites on Fountain Court hours before the chase, according to police. 

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Columbus police officer who killed teen after chase resigns amid investigation ."