Photo: GoFundMe
It has been a grueling six weeks for the Cantu family whose 17-year-old son was shot multiple times while eating a hamburger inside his car.
But now, Erik Cantu Jr. is giving his family something to smile about.
“You’re the first to see this smile and I’m one proud father to see this young man fight so hard to be here.”
Erik’s fight for his lifestarted on Oct. 2when San Antonio Police Department officer James Brennand opened the door of Erik’s vehicle — who was eating a hamburger in a McDonald’s parking lot — and told him to get out.
Within minutes, which was captured on the rookie officer’s bodycam, Brennand opened fire when Cantu tried to drive away. Brennand shot multiple times into the vehicle and continued shooting as the vehicle moved away. He shot at least four times, and struck Erik in his stomach, liver, lungs, and diaphragm,Texas Public Radio reports.
Erik Cantu on body cam footage.AP/Shutterstock
Brennand was initially at the McDonald’s responding to an unrelated disturbance call when he spotted Cantu’s vehicle, which he alleged had “evaded from him the night prior,” according to the incident report.
Brennand suspected the vehicle was stolen. According toKSAT, the San Antonio Police Department confirmed the plates did not match the vehicle, but said the vehicle was not stolen.
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It is unclear whether Brennard has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf. He is scheduled for a pre-hearing on Nov. 23.
James Brennard.San Antonio Police Department
For now, the Cantu family is celebrating Erik’s improvement, while also preparing for the teen’s lengthy road to recovery.
“We still have one more potential surgery and weeks and months and years of rehab,” Erik’s father wrote, “but he’s proving he can do it.”
source: people.com
