Video shows officer firing at 2 teenagers in McDonald’s parking lot

Erik Cantu, 17, shot multiple times inside his car

SAN ANTONIO – Bodycam footage captured a San Antonio police officer shooting at two teenagers over the weekend in a McDonald’s parking lot.

The shooting happened on Sunday.

The 17-year old driver, Erik Cantu, who was eating his food in his car, was visibly surprised when Officer James Brennand pulled open the door and open fired on the teen and his 17-year-old female passenger.

The police chief says Brennand was there for a disturbance call, when he noticed the teens’ car and identified it as a car that had fled from him the day before as he tried to pull it over because the registered license plate didn’t match the vehicle.

The chief says Brennand ordered the driver out, and when the car went into reverse, he opened fire.

Brennand was fired for violating the department’s tactics and procedures.

“Well, it started with the tactics he used to approach the vehicle,” Chief William McManus said. “That was number one. Number two, it was shooting at the vehicle both at the very beginning of the video and then later, the second volley.”

Police said Brennand was a probationary officer who had recently graduated from the police academy and had been on the police force for just seven months.

McManus said he was qualified to patrol on his own.

Cantu was shot multiple times.

Police said Brennand performed CPR on the teen before paramedics arrived.

The teenage girl was not injured in the shooting.

Cantu, who is now fighting for his life, was charged by proxy with evading detention in a vehicle and assault on an officer.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.