A police officer, who has since been fired, faces criminal charges after shooting a teenager who was eating a burger in his car, according to WOAI-TV.
The San Antonio, Texas Police Department released body camera footage of the incident on Oct. 2.
At around 10:45 p.m. that evening, a police officer, identified as James Brennand, was called to a McDonald’s restaurant, due to a “disturbance”.
While speaking with witnesses concerning this “disturbance”, he would have noticed a vehicle which had escaped him the day before during a roadside check. Mr. Brennand believed the car had been stolen.
Four other police arrived as reinforcements. The police officer allegedly opened one of the vehicle’s doors and ordered the person to get out. That one happens to be 17-year-old Erik Cantu, who was eating a burger, according to body camera footage.
The teenager then put the car in reverse while the driver’s side door was still open, hitting James Brennand in the process.
It was at this time that Mr. Brennand allegedly shot at Erik Cantu’s car.
Officers reportedly found Cantu’s car a block away, but neither he nor his 17-year-old passenger was inside.
The teen was initially charged with escape with a vehicle and aggravated assault. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, however, announced he was dropping charges against Cantu.
According to WOAI-TV, Mr. Brennand was arrested on Tuesday 11 October. He was charged with aggravated assault, and was released on bail on October 12.