Former Texas officer charged for allegedly shooting teen eating hamburger in car

SAN ANTONIO — A former Texas officer has been charged for allegedly shooting a teen who was in his car eating a hamburger outside a McDonald’s in San Antonio, on October 2.

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According to a police statement obtained by The Associated Press, James Brennard, 25, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer for allegedly shooting Erik Cantu, 17. Cantu was in his car eating a hamburger outside a McDonald’s restaurant prior to the shooting.

Brennard turned himself in to police Tuesday evening, Police Chief William McManus said, according to the AP.

KHOU reported additional charges could be filed if Cantu doesn’t survive.

Cantu’s family said through their lawyer, according to the AP, that he remains on life support and there are no improvements.

According to the AP, Brennard was a rookie officer and reported that the car Cantu was in had “evaded him the night before during an attempted traffic stop.” Brennard reported that he believed it was a stolen car.

Police released body camera footage, according to the AP. It shows Brennard opening the car door and telling Cantu to get out of the car. The car then drove backward with the door open and Brennard allegedly shoots multiple times into the car. Brennard allegedly continues to shoot as the car drives off.

According to the AP, investigators found that the “deadly force” was unneeded and Brennard was fired.

Aggravated assault and evading arrest charges against Cantu were dropped, according to the AP. Brennard has been charged with two counts of assault because at the time of the shooting, there was another person inside of the car who was not injured.

No further information has been released.

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