Erik Cantu looks toward San Antonio Police Officer James Brennand while holding a hamburger in a fast food restaurant car park as the officer opens the car door in San Antonio, Texas. Brennand then opened fire.
(Picture: AP)A former US police officer has been charged after a teenager was shot in a McDonald’s carpark.
Erik Cantu, 17, is still unconscious and on life support after being shot outside a San Antonio McDonald’s on October 2.
James Brennand, 25, was fired by the police and has now been charged with two counts of aggravated assault.
A statement from Mr Cantu’s family added: “There is no improvement in his condition. He is still unconscious and is on life support.
“The last two days have been difficult, and we expect more difficulty ahead, but we remain hopeful.”
Local police reports suggest that Brennand, an inexperienced officer, suspected the vehicle had been stolen and said Mr Cantu had evaded him the night before.
Body camera footage shows Brennand opening the car door and ordering Mr Cantu out. The car then drove backwards with the door still open. The officer fired multiple times into the vehicle and continued to fire as the car drove away.
Charges against Mr Cantu of aggravated assault and evading arrest were dropped.
Local police chief William McManus said Brennand could face murder charges if Mr Cantu dies.
He said: “There is no question in anybody’s mind looking at that video that the shooting is not justified.”
The Cantu family has dismissed earlier reports that the 17-year-old is in a “stable condition,” a statement adding “every breath is a struggle” for him.
