Ex-Texas Cop Who Shot Teen Multiple Times at McDonald's Parking Lot Is Arrested
An ex-Texas cop who shot a teenager while eating a burger inside his car in a McDonald's parking lot has been arrested on two counts of assault on Tuesday.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said James Brennand, who was an officer with the San Antonio Police Department when the shooting happened, was arrested after he turned himself in, NBC News reported.
McManus noted that the police department filed two counts of aggravated assault by public servant against Brennand following his arrest. The ex-Texas cop shot Erik Cantu, 17, multiple times on October 2.
Ex-Texas Cop James Brennand Thought Teen's Car Was Stolen
At around 10:45 p.m. on October 2, James Brennand, 25, approached Erik Cantu's car in McDonald's parking lot, opened the door, and ordered the teenager to "get out of the car" before he attempted to remove him from the car.
The ex-Texas cop claimed he recognized the car as the same vehicle that fled from him "the other day." He suspected that the car was stolen and called for cover.
According to KSAT, the body-cam footage shows Cantu putting the vehicle in reverse as his open car door reportedly hits Brennand. The ex-Texas cop then fired shots into the car while both Cantu and his 17-year-old female friend were still inside.
As the teenager put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot, Brennand continued to fire more shots into the back of the vehicle.
"When I arrived on the scene I looked at the vehicle, and I immediately had issues with it based on where the bullet holes were," McManus told CNN.
"We have a policy that prohibits officers from shooting at vehicles, moving vehicles, except if their life is in immediate, their life or someone else's life is in immediate danger," he added.
McManus said that "there is no question in anybody's mind looking at that video that the shooting is not justified," adding that "the video was horrific." Police noted that the vehicle, driven by Cantu, was not the subject of the disturbance call.
Eric Cantu Is Fighting for His Life on a Life Support After Being Shot by Ex-Texas Cop
The girl in the passenger seat was unharmed. However, Erik Cantu remained unconscious and still on life support as of early Tuesday, an attorney for his family said. Lawyer Brian Powers noted that Cantu's condition is not improving,
He also said that "the last two days" have been hard, and they expect more difficulties ahead, but they remain hopeful, NBC News reported. He added that any reports about Cantu "going to be fine" or "stable" were not true.
"Every breath is a struggle for Erik... We ask for everyone's continued prayers for our son," the statement said. James Brennand was still in his probationary period. He was fired after the shooting.
McManus noted that the ex-Texas cop's actions were indefensible and had nothing to do with their training, tactics, and procedures. McManus also said the police got a warrant for Brennand.
However, he noted that the case has not been sent to the district attorney yet. Online court records did not appear to reflect the case, and it was unclear whether Brennand had a lawyer who could speak for him.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
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