A now-former San Antonio police officer was charged on Tuesday with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer for taking pictures and gravely wounding a teen consuming a hamburger in his automotive in a McDonald’s parking zone. The teenager had begun driving away when the officer opened fireplace.
James Brennand, 25, was charged within the 2 October taking pictures of Erik Cantu, 17, in keeping with a police assertion. He turned himself in to police on Tuesday night time and remained in custody, mentioned the police chief, William McManus.
Erik remains to be unconscious and on life assist, his household mentioned on Tuesday.
“There is no such thing as a enchancment in his situation,” the household mentioned in an announcement delivered by their lawyer, Brian Powers. “The final two days have been tough, and we anticipate extra problem forward, however we stay hopeful.”
Brennand, a rookie officer, reported the automobile Erik was sitting in had evaded him the night time earlier than throughout an tried site visitors cease. Brennand mentioned he suspected the automobile was stolen.
In body-camera footage launched by police, Brennand opens the automotive door and tells Erik to get out. The automotive drives backward with the door open, and the officer fires a number of instances into the automobile. He continues to shoot because the automotive drives away.
Investigators rapidly decided that using lethal pressure was unwarranted, and Brennand was fired. Prices in opposition to Erik Cantu of aggravated assault and evading arrest have been dropped.
A police spokesperson didn't instantly reply to an inquiry about whether or not the automobile was really stolen.
Brennand is charged with two counts of assault as a result of there was a passenger within the automotive. The passenger was unhurt.
In a press convention on Tuesday night, the police chief defended the division’s coaching and mentioned the failures have been these of the person officer.
In an look on CNN earlier on Tuesday, McManus mentioned he anticipated aggravated assault expenses can be filed, and homicide expenses within the occasion Erik dies.
McManus mentioned Brennand’s body-camera video was “horrific”.
“There is no such thing as a query in anyone’s thoughts that video that the taking pictures is just not justified,” McManus mentioned.
Police officers and the Bexar county district lawyer’s workplace didn't instantly return messages from the Related Press. Brennand has no printed phone quantity and couldn't be reached for remark.
Erik’s situation, as associated in his household’s assertion, is in stark distinction to what police officers mentioned within the wake of the taking pictures: that Cantu was hospitalized in steady situation.
“We’d prefer to right any misrepresentations that Erik is in ‘steady situation’ or he's ‘going to be effective’. That isn't true. Each breath is a battle for Erik. We ask for everybody’s continued prayers for our son,” the household mentioned.
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