The officer shot a 17-year-old suspect a number of occasions after abruptly confronting him within the parking zone
A US police officer has been fired after unleashing a hail of bullets on a teenage driver who didn’t comply with an order, with dramatic bodycam footage displaying him firing a complete of 10 rounds into the car, significantly injuring the teenager.
The police division in San Antonio, Texas introduced the choice on Friday, noting that officer James Brennand – who had solely been on the pressure for seven months and was nonetheless on a probationary interval – would now not be employed with the town.
“The previous Officer’s actions are indefensible and don’t align with our coaching, techniques and procedures,” Chief William McManus stated, including, “As such, I terminated him. I’ll withhold additional remark as this incident continues to be underneath investigation.”
Whereas responding to an unrelated disturbance name at a neighborhood McDonald’s final Sunday, Brennand stated he noticed a car which evaded police the day prior. Although he known as for backup, the officer didn’t wait to strategy the car of the 17-year-old suspect – since recognized as Erik Cantu – opening his automotive door and ordering him to get out.
Nevertheless, as seen in physique digicam footage launched by the San Antonio PD, the noticeably startled teen didn’t instantly comply, as an alternative asking “Why?” earlier than the officer lunged towards the automotive. Inside a matter of seconds, the car seems to roll backwards a number of ft, at which level Brennand drew his service pistol and fired off 10 rounds.
Although Cantu is seen driving away from the scene instantly after the capturing, he was reportedly struck a number of occasions and has been hospitalized for severe accidents. His situation was unclear as of Friday morning.
The teenager was charged with evading detention in a car and assaulting the officer, as Brennand claims he was hit by the automotive’s door as Cantu backed up. In keeping with protection legal professional Brian Powers, nevertheless, native prosecutors have declined to pursue the case.
“We ask for prayers for [the teen] and his household,” Powers instructed CNN, including that Cantu stays within the hospital.
Police Captain Alyssa Campos, who oversees coaching on the division, later clarified that Cantu was not the topic of the unique disturbance name. As a substitute, the officer believed the teenager’s automotive could have been stolen, as its license plate didn’t match the car. Police have to date not stated whether or not the automotive was certainly stolen.
Although a district legal professional will evaluate the case, as they do for all police shootings within the space, officer Brennand has not been charged with a criminal offense.
