The San Antonio Police Department has terminated an officer who fired his gun multiple times at a teenager outside of a local McDonald’s.
The SAPD identified the officer as James Brennand, who had been on the force for seven months before the incident.
Police said he was terminated and that his actions violated department tactics, training and procedures.
The decision to dismiss him came after a review of the shooting.
Police last week released video footage of the incident captured by Brennand’s body-worn camera.
The footage is posted below, but review this background info provided by San Antonio Express-News:
Brennand was responding to a disturbance at about 10:45 p.m. at a McDonald’s in the 11700 block of Blanco Road on the North Side when he spotted a vehicle that he had tried to pull over the day before, said Capt. Alyssa Campos, the SAPD’s training commander. The vehicle was not involved in the disturbance that Brennand was responding to Sunday night.
He approached it, opened the driver’s door and ordered the driver — a 17-year-old male — to step out of the car, the body camera video shows. A female teenager was also in the car. Brennand had requested backup, as he thought the car might be stolen, Campos said, but he did not wait for backup before approaching the car.
The driver shifted the car into reverse and attempted to leave, the body camera footage shows.
As the car backed up, the driver’s door, which was still open, hit the officer in the leg. Brennand fired multiple shots at the vehicle as it backed up and as it sped away, injuring the driver. The officer ran after the car for several yards.
The driver and passenger were located at Parliament Street and Blanco Road, a block away, where they had exited the vehicle. The driver was cited for evading detention in a vehicle and assault on a peace officer.
The driver suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalized. The female passenger was unharmed.
Brennand was considered a probationary officer. Officers are on probation for one year after graduating from the police academy, the SAPD said.
WARNING – GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
There has been no confirmation that the vehicle was stolen.
The driver, 17-year-old male Eric Cantu, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and is currently hospitalized.
Watch this version that contains narration from a police supervisor:
Here’s a local news report from KSAT 12:
Eric Cantu is now on life support.
From San Antonio Express-News:
Prichard said Cantu’s parents were “destroyed” when they heard about their son’s condition. His mother has not left his side.
In a written statement sent to the Express-News by Brian Powers, a criminal defense lawyer representing Cantu, his family said: “Erik and our family would like to thank all of our family, friends, the great city of San Antonio and everyone around the world that has sent their heartfelt prayers and blessings.”
The teenager remains in critical condition and is being monitored closely, according to the news release.
Cantu underwent multiple surgeries to repair injuries to a few major organs struck by bullets, according to Powers’ statement.
“Erik is currently on a life support system that is keeping his lungs operating and remains on a vast amount of sedatives to hopefully ease the discomfort and pain,” the statement reads. “He has a great medical staff that has been working diligently around the clock to provide him great care. Erik is struggling, and we know that recovery will not be easy for him. Every moment is critical, and the uncertainty is quite painful.”
When asked whether Cantu’s family plans to file a lawsuit against the SAPD, Powers said, “Right now, they are worried about their son’s survival.”
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