A Texas police officer who shot and wounded a youngster who had been sitting in his automotive consuming a hamburger has been fired, police mentioned.
San Antonio Officer James Brennand was fired after taking pictures Erik Cantu, 17, on October 2 in a quick meals restaurant parking zone, police coaching commander Alyssa Campos mentioned in a video assertion launched Wednesday.
Brennand had responded to an unrelated disturbance on the fast-food restaurant when he noticed the Cantu contained in the automotive, which had evaded him a day earlier, Campos mentioned.
A Texas prosecutor mentioned in an announcement Friday that he has not seen sufficient proof to file costs towards {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 mentioned.
A Texas prosecutor mentioned in an announcement Friday that he has not seen sufficient proof to file costs towards {the teenager}. (AP)
Brennand, who had been on the power for lower than one yr, violated his coaching and police procedures after approaching the automotive, Campos mentioned. “The officer abruptly opened the driver’s door and ordered the driver out of the car” earlier than the arrival of backup officers that Brennand had requested, Campos mentioned.
Cantu, within the officer’s physique digicam video, appears towards Brennand whereas holding a hamburger, then backs the automotive away, hanging the officer with the open door.Brennand then opened fireplace a number of occasions because the door closed and Cantu drove away.Cantu, who was struck by gunfire, stopped close by the place he and a passenger, who was not injured, had been discovered by police.
“There is nothing I can say in defense of that officer’s actions that night,” Police Chief William McManus advised WOAI-TV. “I think what happened, initially, there was some contact made, but that did not justify the shooting.”Cantu was hospitalized in steady situation and initially charged with evading police and aggravated assault.Gonzales, the district lawyer, mentioned no determination had been made on whether or not to pursue costs towards Brennand, pending the end result of a police investigation into the taking pictures.
“As we do with all officer-involved shootings that result in death or serious injury, we will submit the case to a Grand Jury for their consideration. Until that happens, we can make no further comment on this matter,” Gonzales mentioned. Police and an lawyer for Cantu didn’t instantly return cellphone requires touch upon Friday.
