A fired San Antonio cop has posted bond and been released after he was charged with shooting a teenager sitting in his vehicle eating a hamburger.
James Brennand posted $200,000 in bonds after turning himself in on Tuesday night to face two counts of aggravated assault by a public official in the October 2 shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu, who, according to his family, remained on life support.
Jail records showed that Brennand did not have an attorney at the time of his release, according to the Associated Press. Brennand, a 27-year-old rookie cop, reported the car Cantu was sitting in had evaded him during an attempted traffic stop the night before. He suspected that the said vehicle was stolen.
Use of deadly force by Brennand was unwarranted
In body camera footage released by police, Brennand can be seen opening the car door and telling Cantu to get out. The vehicle then drove backward with the door open, with the police officer firing multiple times into the car. Brennand continued to shoot as the car drove away.
Brennand is charged with two counts of assault because a passenger was inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The other passenger was unharmed, according to KENS5.
Investigators handling the case determined that Brennand's use of deadly force was not warranted, and he was fired as a result. Charges against Cantu of evading arrest and aggravated assault were both dropped.
According to police department spokesman Officer Ricardo Guzman, registration plates did not match the car that Cantu was operating, although the vehicle itself was not stolen. Cantu remained in critical condition in the hospital on Wednesday, October 12.
Cantu's family issued a statement through attorney Brian Powers, saying that Erik is still on life-support and non-responsive, but his oxygen levels are improving. The family added that they are being patient and optimistic that better health is coming. They concluded the statement by asking people to please continue keeping Erik in their thoughts and prayers.
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Oscar Cruz Jr. set to stand trial next month
Brennand is the second police officer in San Antonio to face criminal charges this year for what was deemed unjustified use of deadly force.
Former officer Oscar Cruz Jr. was indicted by a Bexar County grand jury in February on a charge of deadly conduct with a firearm for firing at fleeing juveniles suspected of trying to open car doors. Cruz is free on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to stand trial next month.
He chased the youth on foot back in March 2020 when another juvenile threw a rock at him, hitting him in the face. Cruz fired a couple of shots at the fleeing youths, missing them. He was suspended indefinitely and ultimately fired following the incident, according to KSAT.
Cruz may spend some time in jail for his actions as the third-degree felony is punishable by two to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
