A now-fired San Antonio police officer has been charged after shooting and critically wounding an unarmed 17-year-old who was eating in his vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot on Oct. 2.
Body camera footage shows Brennand, a rookie officer, opening the door of Erik Cantu’s vehicle and telling Cantu — who was sitting in the drivers seat, eating — to get out. Moments later, Brennand opens fire when Cantu tries to drive away. Brennand shoots multiple times into the vehicle and continues shooting as the vehicle moves away.
Erik Cantu on body cam footage.AP/Shutterstock
Cantu is in critical condition and on life support, according to aGoFundMethat was created to help his family with medical costs.
Brennand suspected the vehicle was stolen. According toKSAT, the San Antonio Police Department confirmed the plates did not match the vehicle, but said the vehicle was not stolen.
There was also a 17-year-old female passenger in the car at the time of the shooting who was unharmed, according to the incident report.
Erik Cantu.GoFundMe
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus called the shooting “unjustified, both administratively and criminally,“during a press conference on Tuesday.
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McManus confirmed that the case is still open, and if the teen does not survive his injuries, the charges against Brennand will change.
James Brennard.San Antonio Police Department
Brennand was fired from the San Antonio Police Department on Oct. 4, two days after the shooting, according to a press release from the department.
It is unclear if Brennand has retained a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
source: people.com
