A Texas police officer who opened fire on an unarmed teenager eating a hamburger in a McDonald’s parking lot has been fired.
San Antonio Officer James Brennand was fired following the shooting of Erik Cantu (17) in a McDonald’s parking garage on October 2, according to Alyssa Campbell, a police training commander. Video statementReleased Wednesday
This image is taken from the Oct. 2, 2022 Police body camera video. It was released by San Antonio Police Department. Erik Cantu looks towards James Brennand, San Antonio Police officer, while holding a hamburger at a fast food parking lot, as Brennand opens his car door in San Antonio.
(San Antonio Police Department via AP)
According to police, Officer James Brennand responded in an emergency to a call from the restaurant. Brennand was soon distracted by Cantu’s parked car. He claimed that the car had evaded him on the previous day During an attempted traffic stop.
TEXAS OFFICIALS – UVALDE SHOOTING REPORT REVEALS MULTIPLE SYSTEMIC SUCCESSES’
In a statement, a Texas prosecutor stated that he had not seen sufficient evidence to bring charges against the teenager.
“While Sunday’s shooting of an unarmed teenager by a then-San Antonio Police officer remains under investigation, the facts and evidence we have received so far led us to reject the charges against Erik Cantu for further investigation,” Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said.
This image is taken from Oct. 2, 20,22 police body cam video and released San Antonio Police Department. Erik Cantu drives away while James Brennand, San Antonio Police officer, shoots at the car on a San Antonio parking lot.
(San Antonio Police Department via AP)
Campos claimed that Brennand, a less than one-year veteran of the police force, had violated his trainings and police procedures by approaching the car.
Brennand is seen in body-camera footage walking up to Cantu’s car and opening the driver’s side door.
“The officer abruptly opened the driver’s door and ordered the driver out of the car” before the Arrival of backup officersCampos stated that Brennand had requested this.
This image was taken by San Antonio Police Department on Oct. 2, 2022 and is released by San Antonio Police Department. It shows James Brennand, a San Antonio Police Officer, shooting Erik Cantu as Cantu drives off in San Antonio, Texas.
(San Antonio Police Department via AP)
Cantu, in the officer’s body camera video, looks toward Brennand while holding a hamburger, then backs the car away, striking the officer with the open door.
WOMAN HIT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN LOS ANGELES, POLICE SEARCH FOR SUSPECT
Brennand lit the fire again as Cantu closed the door.
Multiple bullets hit CantuPolice said that he was found just one block away.
“There is nothing I can say in defense of that officer’s actions that night,” Police Chief William McManus told WOAI-TV. “I believe there was contact at first, but that didn’t justify the shooting.”
In this photo taken from Oct. 2, 20,22 police body cam video and released San Antonio Police Department Erik Cantu is looking toward James Brennand, San Antonio Police officer, while holding a hamburger at a fast food parking lot, as Brennand opens the car door in San Antonio.
(San Antonio Police Department via AP)
Cantu was admitted to a hospital in stable condition. He was initially charged with evading the police and aggravated assault.
“The facts and evidence that we have so far have led us to reject Erik Cantu’s charges for further investigation,” Joe Gonzales, Bexar County District Attorney, stated.
Gonzales, the district lawyer, stated that no decision has been made about whether Brennand should be charged. The outcome of a police inquiryIn the shooting.
“As with all officer-involved shootings that end in death or serious injuries, we will submit this case to a Grand Jury. Gonzales stated that we cannot comment further on the matter until then.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX NEWS APP
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
