Who is James Brennand, San Antonio police officer fired for shooting teen?

James Brennand, a
San Antonio police officer, has been fired for shooting at a 17-year-old boy. The
boy, Eric Cantu, is hospitalised and his condition is unknown, NBC News
reported. The incident when Cantu was sitting in his car eating a McDonald’s burger
with a girl.

Police officer
Brennand approached the 17-year-old, abruptly opened the car door and asked Cantu
to get out of the car. Cantu put the car in reverse with the driver side’s door
still open and attempted to drive away. Brennand shot at the teen multiple
times as Cantu drove the car away. This was seen in the bodycam footage
released by police.

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Cantu and his
friend were found in the car nearly one block away. The passenger wasn’t hurt
but Cantu had suffered a gunshot wound.

Who is James
Brennand?

James Brennand joined
the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) seven months ago after graduating from
the academy. He was in his probation period when he was fired. Brennand had
gone to the Blanco Road McDonald’s after he received a call about disturbance
in the area, police say.

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He went to the
spot and sought to gather information from witnesses. While speaking to people,
he suddenly noticed a car that he had tried to stop the previous day because the
registered license plate did not match the car. Brennand suspected the car was
stolen. He called for cover and then approached the car.

When he asked
Cantu to come out of the car, the 17-year-old sought to drive away. Brennand
opened fire, injuring Cantu, who was found in his vehicle a block away.

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“The former police
officer’s actions are indefensible and do not align with our training, tactics
and procedures,” said SAPD Chief William McManus. “As such, I terminated him,”
the police chief said.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old
Eric Cantu has been charged with evading detention and assaulting a peace
officer. Cops have not said if the vehicle was indeed stolen, NBC News
reported.