Ex-police officer indicted over shooting of teen who was eating in McDonald’s parking lot | 24CA News

A former San Antonio, Texas, police officer who shot and wounded a 17-year-old as the teenager put his automobile in reverse whereas consuming a hamburger has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant and one depend of tried homicide, prosecutors stated Thursday.

James Brennand, 28, was a rookie officer when he was fired and charged with the 2 counts of aggravated assault after capturing Erik Cantu on Oct. 2 in a McDonald’s car parking zone.

Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales stated that one of many aggravated assault fees is for capturing Cantu and the opposite is for capturing within the path of his feminine passenger. He stated the tried homicide cost pertains to the capturing of Cantu.

Aggravated assault by a public servant is punishable by as much as life in jail, whereas tried homicide is punishable by as much as 20 years in jail, Gonzales stated.

“We know that most officers in this city care deeply about this community, but we cannot have a safe city if the community does not have trust in the criminal justice system,” Gonzales stated.

Teen launched from hospital

One of Brennand’s attorneys, Nico LaHood, stated Thursday that up to now, Brennand’s facet of the story hasn’t been advised, saying that there is been an preliminary “rush to judgment attitude.” 

Video of the episode from Brennand’s body-worn digicam has been launched by police.

“We anticipate more information will be revealed that will further shed light on this incident,” LaHood stated.

Cantu was launched from the hospital final week, practically two months after the capturing. In an announcement after his launch, his dad and mom stated he “still has a long road to recovery.”

Family lawyer Ben Crump, who has taken on among the nation’s most high-profile police killings of Black individuals, stated in an announcement that the indictments had been “a relief” for the household.

“Erik and his family are grateful for the outpouring of support they have received, not only in Erik’s fight for survival, but also in our fight for full justice,” Crump stated. “Today, we are one step closer.”

Brennand had been responding to an unrelated disturbance on the McDonald’s when he noticed Cantu in a automobile he believed had evaded him the day earlier than throughout an tried visitors cease, police had earlier stated.

Police stated Brennand violated his coaching and police procedures after approaching the automobile, which they stated he believed to have been stolen. Although the automobile’s registration plates did not match the automobile, the automobile was not stolen, in keeping with police.

In physique digicam footage launched by police, Brennand opens the automobile door and tells Cantu to get out. The automobile then drives backward with the door open, and the officer fires a number of instances into the automobile. He continues to shoot because the automobile drives away.