The family of a 17-year-old who was shot multiple times by a San Antonio police officer in a McDonald’s parking lot has revealed their son has pneumonia and has frequent hallucinations.
Erik Cantu was shot up to five times by 25-year-old rookie officer James Brennand while he and a passenger were eating in Cantu’s 2008 BMW 1281 on October 2.
His parents, Erik Cantu Sr. and Victoria Casarez, said he now goes into cardiac arrest when doctors cut back on his painkillers. He also experiences hallucinations in which he mimics stepping on the gas pedal of a car.
Due to his prolonged intubation due to the three-week stay in the intensive care unit, he also suffers from pneumonia.
“These are the things we need to see on a daily basis that no one should see and feel,” Cantu Sr. said.
Cantu is expected to remain in intensive care for at least three more weeks and is still in critical condition.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, said the parents were seeking murder charges against Brennand. A civil action is not excluded.
Erik Cantu’s parents, Erik Cantu Sr. (left) and Victoria Casarez, spoke to the public for the first time since their son was shot in San Antonio
Cantu, who was shot multiple times by Brennand while sitting in his car eating a McDonald’s cheeseburger, is currently on life support after several of his organs were punctured during the shooting
Cantu Sr. revealed that his son now experiences frequent hallucinations, including mimicking a gas pedal while setting up finger guns
Cantu Sr. and Casarez spoke about their son’s recovery after 25-year-old rookie cop James Brennand fired 10 shots at their son’s car, hitting him up to five times
The family is now represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who previously represented the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd
Crump said he has not ruled out filing a civil lawsuit against Brennand, alleging that the officer violated Cantu’s Fourth Amendment right
25-year-old rookie San Antonio cop James Brennand shot dead 17-year-old Erik Cantu while he was in his car in a McDonald’s parking lot
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales reportedly told Cantu’s family that Brennand assumed he was a suspect because he was “a Hispanic kid with a bowl-shaped haircut.”
Crump alleges that Brennand violated Cantu’s Fourth Amendment rights by assuming Cantu stole the vehicle he was driving.
“That’s it,” Crump said. “That’s why we’re here. That’s why (Brennand) shot 10 times.’
The family also revealed that there are more bodycam footage that has not been released to the public.
Recalling the footage, Cantu Sr. added that Cantu called out for his mother and said, “I was shot,” as Brennand handcuffed the wounded teenager.
“Yes, you did because I shot you,” Brennand reportedly replied.
Because Brennand showed “no humanity” in the unreleased footage, in addition to a false allegation by the officer that Cantu hit Brennand with his car, the family are now demanding that his $200,000 bail be lifted.
“No one is safe when they’re out on the street,” Casarez said.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said he believes “no one watching this video questions that the shooting is unjustified” and that the bodycam footage is “terrible” to watch.
Mug shot of James Brennand
In the bodycam footage, Cantu is seen driving away as Brennand
revealed Brennand handcuffed Cantu after he opened fire and the teenager gasped on the pavement
Cantu’s passenger was in shock and also feels guilty because it was her decision to go east in front of the fast food restaurant that evening, she told .
Cantu, who she is dating, wanted to eat inside, but she was tired and asked him to use the drive-thru so they could just eat in the car, sources said.
After picking up their order at the window, they parked in the parking lot and listened to music while Cantu took his first bites.
That’s when the police officer spotted the maroon car and allegedly suspected it was stolen.
Police confirmed Cantu’s car had a license plate registered to another vehicle, but have not confirmed if it was stolen.
Brennand abruptly opened the door and motioned for Cantu to come out.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said he believes “there is no question, looking at the video, that the shooting was unjustified.”
Cantu’s family expects he will remain in intensive care for the next two to three weeks
The girl said they were both startled and scared and didn’t understand what happened, sources told .
Brennand’s bodycam recordings show the first encounter.
When Cantu questioned the officer’s orders, he attempted to reverse and the door caught Brennand, who quickly fired several shots into the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Cantu tried to drive away, but Brennand kept firing, firing a total of 10 shots, four or five of which hit the teenager.
The girl heard loud shots as they drove off. Then they stopped a block away.
The girl helped Cantu unbuckle his seat belt and they both got out. Cantu held his wounded arm, unaware that it had been hit somewhere else.
“He thought it was just his arm,” a source said.
Family attorney Brian Powers said Cantu sustained injuries to his stomach, liver, diaphragm, lungs and arms.
He shouted “help” and told her to “call an ambulance,” the source added.
Cantu sustained injuries to his stomach, liver, diaphragm, lungs, and arms
She cradled his head on her lap on the sidewalk. She saw blood coming out of his stomach and also screamed for help.
The officer caught up with them moments later. According to the girl’s account, Brennand tied Cantu’s hands behind his back while he told her to look away.
While it is common for police officers to handcuff a suspect even before providing assistance to avoid potentially unruly behavior, several people close to Cantu told they find it highly inappropriate as the officer is the one who repeatedly shot the unarmed teenager.
They also found it bizarre that he would tell his passenger to look away, regardless of his intention.
Authorities have yet to release the bodycam footage of the handcuffs. They say Brennand performed CPR while waiting for paramedics.
He has since been charged with two counts of aggravated assault by an officer after turning himself in at the Bexar County Jail.
A hearing is scheduled for November 23.