JEFFERSON CITY — An activist who first moved into the public eye during protests in Ferguson almost five years ago and then upset the political establishment to win a seat in the Missouri House, says he is officially resigning at the end of the month.

Rep. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, announced his resignation in May on the second-to-last day of the annual legislative session. But he didn’t say when he would submit his letter of resignation.

On Friday, Franks said July 31 would be his last day as a state representative. And he said he’s moving away from Missouri, though he wouldn’t elaborate.

“I love my city but I can’t heal from trauma and survive in the epicenter any longer,” Franks said in a Thursday Facebook post. “I’m not running away from it I’m choosing to change my environment to be the best version of me. I’m making a selfish decision and it feels great. If I don’t make this move, St Louis is going to kill me.”