A San Antonio police officer nonetheless in his probationary interval was fired after he shot at and injured a 17-year-old boy within the car parking zone of McDonald’s, the division stated Wednesday.
{The teenager}, Erik Cantu, is hospitalized with a number of gunshot wounds. His situation was not recognized Friday morning.
The officer, recognized as James Brennand, responded to the fast-food eatery on Blanco Street round 10:45 p.m. Sunday for an unrelated disturbance name, in accordance with police.
“Because the officer tried to assemble info from witnesses, he seen a automobile that had evaded him the day earlier than because the officer tried a cease as a result of the registered license plate didn’t match the precise automobile,” Capt. Alyssa Campos, the division’s coaching commander, stated in a video assertion.
The automobile, pushed by Cantu, was not the topic of the disturbance name on the McDonald’s, in accordance with Campos.
The officer, believing the automobile was stolen, referred to as “for canopy” however approached the automobile earlier than different officers arrived, she stated. Campos stated the officer “abruptly” opened the motive force’s door and ordered Cantu to get out.
Police body-camera footage launched by the division exhibits Cantu sitting within the driver’s seat consuming a McDonald’s hamburger. A 17-year-old woman is within the passenger’s seat.
“Get out of the automobile,” the officer says to Cantu, the video exhibits.
Cantu put the automobile in reverse with the motive force’s door nonetheless open and backed up, Campos stated, including the officer was hit by the open door.
“The officer then stepped again and opened fireplace on the automobile as the motive force reversed away from him,” she stated.
A number of gunshots may be heard within the video because the maroon automobile backs away and the motive force’s door closes. Extra photographs are fired because the automobile flees the car parking zone, the video exhibits.
Cantu and his passenger had been discovered a couple of block away. The passenger was not injured.
Police charged Cantu with evading detention with a automobile and assault on a peace officer. It is not clear if he has obtained an legal professional who can communicate on his behalf. Police haven’t stated if the automobile was, the truth is, stolen.
Brennand had been on the power for seven months and was nonetheless on probation, a normal apply for San Antonio officers who graduated from the police academy lower than a 12 months in the past.
“The previous Officer’s actions are indefensible and don’t align with our coaching, ways and procedures,” Chief William McManus stated. “As such, I terminated him. I’ll withhold additional remark as this incident remains to be underneath investigation.”
All police shootings are despatched to the district legal professional’s workplace for evaluation. Brennand has not been charged with against the law. NBC Information couldn’t instantly attain a consultant for the police union.
