A San Antonio police officer has been fired after taking pictures an adolescent who was consuming in a parking zone outdoors of a McDonald’s.
In accordance with The New York Instances on Sunday, the state of affairs went down when the officer – recognized as James Brennand – responded to an unrelated disturbance name on the quick meals restaurant at round 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, October 2. Captain Alyssa Campos defined in a video assertion:
“Because the officer tried to assemble data from witnesses, he observed 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.”
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Believing the automobile was stolen, Campos stated Brennand referred to as “for canopy” however nonetheless approached the automobile earlier than different officers arrived on the scene. Stunning physique digital camera footage launched by the police division then confirmed him strolling as much as the parked automobile and instantly opening the motive force’s door. {The teenager} – who has been recognized as Erik Cantu – might be seen sitting within the driver’s seat consuming a hamburger whereas a 17-year-old woman sat subsequent to him within the passenger’s seat. Within the video, Brennand says to Erik:
“Get out of the automobile.”
Nevertheless, the teenager freaked and reversed with the motive force’s door nonetheless open. That’s when Brennand shot at Erik a number of instances. The gunshots could be heard within the video because the automobile backs away and the door closes. Extra pictures had been then fired whereas the automobile left the parking zone, and the officer instructed others on his radio:
“Photographs fired! Photographs fired!”
Terrible. You possibly can check out the second beneath:
The 2 teenagers had been discovered a block away. The woman was not injured, however Erik was despatched to the hospital in vital situation with a number of gunshot wounds. His lawyer Brian Powers instructed The New York Instances:
“He’s nonetheless in vital situation and actually combating for his life each minute of the day. His physique has endured an incredible quantity of trauma.”
In the meantime, the San Antonio Police Division stated that Brennand, a probationary officer who had solely been on the pressure for seven months, was let go for violating the division’s ways, coaching and procedures. Chief William McManus stated:
“The previous Officer’s actions are indefensible and don’t align with our coaching, ways and procedures. As such, I terminated him. I’ll withhold additional remark as this incident remains to be beneath investigation.”
Following the taking pictures, police claimed Cantu was charged with evading detention with a automobile and assault on a peace officer. Nevertheless, Joe Gonzales, the district lawyer of Bexar County, stated in a information convention on Friday that he had dismissed the case. Police additionally haven’t stated whether or not or not the automobile was really stolen. Whereas Gonzales praised the division for firing Brennand, he famous that the previous cop might face felony fees as soon as investigators are completed reviewing the incident:
“We’ve got different selections we now have to make down the street, which can embody charging him with a criminal offense.”
We’re holding Erik in our ideas as he continues to struggle for his life proper now.
[Image via San Antonio Police Department]