James Brennand posted $200,000 in bonds after he turned himself in to face two counts of aggravated assault by a public official in the Oct. 2 shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu, who remained on life support according to his family.
This image provided by Bexar County Sheriff's Office shows James Brennand. The former San Antonio police officer has posted bond and been released after he was charged in the shooting of a teen as the youth sat in a car eating a hamburger. Brennand posted $200,000 bond after he was charged with aggravated assault by a public official in the Oct. 2 shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu.
Brennand, a 27-year-old rookie officer, reported the vehicle Cantu was sitting in had evaded him the night before during an attempted traffic stop. Brennand said he suspected the car was stolen.released by police, Brennand opens the car door and tells Cantu to get out. The car drives backward with the door open, and the officer fires multiple times into the vehicle. He continues to shoot as the car drives away.
Brennand is charged with two counts of assault because a passenger was in the car. The passenger was unharmed.. Charges against Cantu of aggravated assault and evading arrest were dropped. Registration plates did not match the vehicle that Cantu was operating, although the car itself was not stolen, said Officer Ricardo Guzman, a police department spokesman.“Erik is still on life-support and is non-responsive but his oxygen levels are showing an improvement.
Brennand is the second San Antonio police officer to face criminal charges this year for what was found to be the unjustified use of deadly force. In February, a Bexar County grand jury indicted former officer Oscar Cruz Jr. on a charge of deadly conduct with a firearm for firing at fleeing juveniles suspected of trying to open car doors. He is free on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to stand trial next month.Cruz chased the youth on foot in March 2020 when another juvenile threw a rock that hit him in the face. Cruz fired two shots at the fleeing youths, missing them. Cruz was suspended indefinitely and ultimately fired.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alleged imposter saying he's related to Erik Cantu appears on San Antonio TV station — twiceThe alleged imposter, who gave his name as Jesus Salazar, reportedly gave misleading information about Cantu's health. SanAntonio SATX SanAntonioTX ErikCantu JamesBrennand SAPD PoliceViolence PoliceBrutality
Read more »
Former Texas officer charged for shooting 17-year-old eating hamburgerSan Antonio Police Chief William McManus announced that 25-year-old James Brennand was charged with two counts of aggravated assault for the Oct. 2 shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu.
Read more »
Fired San Antonio officer who shot 17-year-old Erik Cantu out on bail after arrest for aggravated assaultJames Brennand has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault for the Oct. 2 shooting. The charges and arrest came within hours of a protest held in front of SAPD headquarters demanding his arrest.
Read more »
Everything we know so far about the shooting of teenager Erik Cantu by a San Antonio police officerThe shooting has garnered attention from national media outlets and led to the firing of SAPD officer James Brennand, the officer who shot Cantu.
Read more »
Timeline: How the Erik Cantu shooting unfolded, and where we stand nowFormer San Antonio police officer James Brennand faces criminal charges in connection...
Read more »