Shooting of Erik Cantu

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Shooting of Erik Cantu
DateOctober 2, 2022; 18 months ago (2022-10-02)
Timec. 10:43:34 pm[1] (CDT)
LocationSan Antonio, Texas, U.S.
TypePolice shooting
Filmed byPolice body camera
Non-fatal injuriesFour gunshot wounds, critical condition, developed pneumonia after injuries
AccusedJames Brennand
ChargesAggravated assault (two counts),[2]
attempted murder[3]

On October 2, 2022, Officer James Brennand of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) shot 17-year-old Erik Cantu in the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. After responding to an unrelated disturbance, Brennand saw Cantu eating a hamburger in his vehicle, and recognized the vehicle as the same one which had evaded him at a traffic stop the day prior. After opening Cantu's driver-side door, Brennand opened fire when Cantu reversed the vehicle. Brennand was fired less than a week later and was later charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer. He was later indicted for aggravated assault and attempted murder.[3] Following the incident, Cantu was immediately placed on life support and remained hospitalized for a number of weeks.[4][5]

Background[edit]

Brennand was a probationary officer who had been with the SAPD for seven months prior to the shooting. The day prior to the shooting, Cantu had evaded police in the same maroon vehicle, with license plates that were not registered to it. Whether or not Cantu was the same individual from the incident the day before was initially unclear, with some media outlets reporting that Cantu was not the same individual. For example, ABC News reported that officer Brennand had "confus[ed] him and his car with someone who fled from an attempted stop the night before."[6] The San Antonio Current later reported that Cantu apparently was the same individual, based on police records of an interview with Cantu's girlfriend.[7] Cantu's girlfriend was in the car with him during both incidents, and the first incident left her hesitant to get in the car with him again for fear that Cantu's actions might get them arrested or "shot at," she stated in that interview.[8]

Shooting[edit]

Around 10:45 PM on October 2, Officer Brennand responded to the McDonald's on Blanco Road in San Antonio for an unrelated disturbance call. As he questioned witnesses, Brennand noticed Cantu's vehicle, which had evaded him the day before. The vehicle had license plates registered to another vehicle, making Brennand think it was stolen. After Brennand called for backup, he approached the vehicle, opened the driver-side door, and ordered Cantu to exit. As Cantu reversed his vehicle, Brennand fired five times. He then fired five more times as the vehicle drove away. A passenger sitting in the vehicle was uninjured.[9] Police later stated that while the vehicle had license plates registered to another vehicle, it was not stolen.[10]

Cantu was rendered unconscious and put on life support as a result of the shooting. An attorney for the family said that, "any reports that Cantu is stable or is 'going to be fine' are not true."[11] On October 25, 2022, the family gave a press conference, where they stated that Cantu had developed pneumonia. In addition, the family stated that three of the bullets had been removed, but not a fourth, located near his heart. Cantu's father stated that his condition was "touch and go."[12][13] On November 7, Cantu's family stated he was weaned off life support and was placed on high-flow oxygen via a tracheostomy.[14] On November 22, Cantu was released from the hospital and returned home.[15]

Reaction[edit]

The Party for Socialism and Liberation and ACT 4 SA held a protest on October 11 outside the SAPD headquarters.[16]

Cantu's family hired civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.[17] Cantu's girlfriend also hired Crump.[18] Cantu has been charged with multiple crimes since recovering from his injuries and this has caused a delay in the trial of former officer Brennand.

Investigation and charges[edit]

Two days after the shooting, Brennand was fired. A spokesperson for the SAPD said Brennand violated his training and police procedures, citing how he approached the vehicle before backup arrived.[4] On October 11, Brennand was charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer, one count for Cantu and another for the uninjured passenger.[19] SAPD Police Chief William McManus stated that if Cantu died, the charges could have been upgraded to homicide. Brennand was released on a $200,000 bail. His pre-hearing was set for November 23, 2022.[20] He was later indicted by a grand jury for aggravated assault and attempted murder.[3]

Cantu was initially charged with evading detention in a vehicle and assault on a peace officer, but Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales later announced the charges would be dismissed "...out of compassion because the teen is in critical condition in the hospital."[21] Since then, Cantu has been charged with multiple crimes, including allegedly evading police again in the same red BMW,[22] which has delayed the trial of Brennand.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "17-YEAR-OLD SHOT BY FORMER SAN ANTONIO OFFICER STILL ON LIFE SUPPORT AS CHARGES FILED IN CASE". ABC 7 Chicago. October 11, 2022. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Fired Texas police officer charged over shooting of teen in fast-food parking lot". The Guardian. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Killough, Ashley (December 1, 2022). "Former San Antonio police officer who shot unarmed teen in a McDonald's parking lot has been indicted for attempted murder, prosecutor says". CNN. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Miller, Ken (October 7, 2022). "Texas officer fired after shooting hamburger-eating teenager". Associated Press. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Former San Antonio officer who shot teen in McDonald's parking lot arrested". CBS News. October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Mother of Erik Cantu asks 'not only for justice, but we're asking for Erik to live'". ABC News. October 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Collier, Dillon (October 31, 2022). "Night before shooting at McDonalds, Erik Cantu evaded same SAPD officer who shot him: records". KSAT.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Karlis, Michael (November 1, 2022). "Erik Cantu evaded San Antonio cop the night before shooting, SAPD records reportedly show". San Antonio Current. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Burke, Minyvonne (October 7, 2022). "San Antonio officer fired after shooting at teen sitting in McDonald's parking lot eating a burger". NBC News. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Teen shot by San Antonio police officer was NOT driving a stolen car". NBC News 4 San Antonio. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  11. ^ Burke, Minyvonne; Alsharif, Mirna (October 11, 2022). "17-year-old is on life support after being shot by San Antonio officer in McDonald's parking lot". NBC News. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Burke, Minyvonne (October 25, 2022). "'He's just mutilated': Parents of San Antonio teen shot in McDonald's parking lot say every day is a struggle". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Stengle, Jamie (October 25, 2022). "Condition of Texas teen shot eating hamburger 'touch and go'". Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Karlis, Michael (November 7, 2022). "Erik Cantu, San Antonio teen shot by now-fired police officer, no longer on life support, family says". San Antonio Current. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Patton, Mary Claire; Barajas, John Paul; Herrera, Ivan (November 22, 2022). "Erik Cantu back home more than 7 weeks after being shot by SAPD officer, family says". KSAT 12. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  16. ^ Aguirre, Priscilla (October 11, 2022). "What we know about the San Antonio teen shot by fired SAPD officer". My San Antonio. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Patton, Mary Claire (October 25, 2022). "Erik Cantu's family to speak publicly for first time after teen was shot by SAPD officer". KSAT. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  18. ^ "Girlfriend of Erik Cantu hires attorney Ben Crump following shooting by former SAPD officer". KENS CBS 5. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  19. ^ Grant, Teddy (October 11, 2022). "Former San Antonio cop charged with aggravated assault in shooting of 17-year-old in McDonald's parking lot". ABC News. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  20. ^ Peck, Josh (October 12, 2022). "Fired San Antonio officer who shot 17-year-old Erik Cantu out on bail after arrest for aggravated assault". KUT 90.5. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  21. ^ "Bexar Co. DA drops charges against teen shot by now-former SAPD officer". KENS CBS 5. October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  22. ^ "San Antonio teen shot by police officer in McDonald's parking lot arrested again". San Antonio Current. December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
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