Former Texas cop charged with shooting boy eating hamburger

San Antonio (AP) A former San Antonio police officer has now been charged with two counts of aggravated assault in the shooting death of a teenager who was eating a hamburger in his car in a McDonald’s parking lot last week.

James Brennand, 25, was charged with the Oct. 2 shooting of Eric Cantu, 17, according to a police statement.

Kantu’s family said in a statement on Tuesday, “There is no improvement in his condition. He is still unconscious and on life support. The last two days have been difficult and we expect more to come.” But we have hope.

“It’s an incredibly difficult time for them,” said their attorney Brian Powers.

Rookie officer Brennand reported that the vehicle in which Cantu was sitting evaded him when he attempted to stop traffic the night before. Brennand said he suspected the vehicle had been stolen.

Body camera footage released by police shows Brennand opening the car door and telling Cantu to get out. The car backs up, the door opens, and the officer fires multiple shots at the car. He continues to shoot as the car drives away.

Investigators quickly determined that the use of lethal force was unjustified. Brennand was fired immediatelyand the charges against Cantu of aggravated assault and evasion of arrest were dropped.

Appearing on CNN On Tuesday morning, Police Chief William McManus said he expected Brennand to be charged with aggravated assault for shooting and murder if Cantu died.

McManus said the body camera video of Brennand’s Oct. 2 shooting was “horrifying.”

“Looking at that video, there is no question that the shooting was not justified,” McManus said.

Police officials and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately return a message from the Associated Press.Brenand’s phone number was not released and no comment was available.

Kantu’s condition is in stark contrast to what police officials provided after the shooting that Kantu was hospitalized in a stable condition, as related to his family’s statement.

“I would like to correct the misconception that Eric is in a ‘steady state’ or ‘getting well’. According to family statements, that is not true. Breathing is all a struggle for Eric.”