San Antonio Police Officer Fired After Shooting at Teen Sitting in Parking Lot of McDonald's Eating a Burger

Erik Cantu James Brennand San Antonio Shooting

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Oct 08, 11:38 am

Photo: (Photo : JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

A San Antonio cop still in his probationary period was fired after he shot at and injured a 17-year-old boy in a McDonald's parking lot, the police department said on Wednesday, October 5.

The teen, Erik Cantu, was admitted to the hospital after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. His condition was not known on Friday morning, according to NBC News.

The police officer, identified as James Brennand, responded to the fast-food eatery on Blanco Road for an unrelated disturbance call around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, according to police.

Car driven by Cantu was not subject of the disturbance call

Captain Alyssa Campos, the department's training commander, said in a video statement that as the officer attempted to gather information from witnesses, he noticed a vehicle that had evaded him the day before. She added that the officer attempted a stop because the registered license plate did not match the actual vehicle.

According to Campos, the car that Cantu drove was not the subject of the disturbance call at McDonald's. The cop, believing the vehicle was stolen, called for cover but approached the car before other police officers arrived. Campos said the officer abruptly opened the driver's door and ordered Cantu to get out of the car.

The department released police body-camera footage showing Cantu sitting in the driver's seat eating a McDonald's hamburger, according to KSAT. A 17-year-old girl was also seen in the video in the passenger's seat.

The video showed the officer telling Cantu to get out of the car. Campos said Cantu put the vehicle in reverse with the driver's door still open and backed up. She added that the open door hit the officer.

Brennand's actions are indefensible

Campos said the officer stepped back and opened fire on the vehicle as Cantu reversed away from him. Multiple gunshots can be heard in the footage as the driver's door closes and the maroon car backs away. The video showed more shots being fired as the vehicle fled the parking lot, according to Local 10.

Cantu and his passenger were later found about a block away, with the latter not injured in the shooting. Police charged Cantu with assault on a peace officer and evading detention with a vehicle. The cops have not said if the car was stolen. According to Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, Cantu's charges have now been dismissed.

Brennand had been on the police force for seven months and was still on probation, a standard practice for officers in San Antonio. He graduated from the police academy less than a year ago.

Chief William McManus said that the former Officer's actions were indefensible and did not align with their training, tactics, and procedures. McManus added that, as such, he terminated him. He said he would withhold further comment as this incident is still under investigation.