On October 1st 2022, Officer Brennan encountered a maroon BMW around 8:45pm in the area of U.S. HWY 281 and Bitters Rd. Officer Brennan pulled up behind the BMW and then activated his emergency lights, at which time the BMW accelerated and moved to the left, dangerously cutting off another vehicle, before driving onto the ramp for U.S. Highway 281. Per SAPD policy, Officer Brennan did not engage in a pursuit. He did, however run the plates and discovered that the license plat did not come back to that vehicle. Officer Brennand believed the car may have been stolen and that was why the driver fled the traffic stop.
The next day on October 2nd, Officer Brennand responded to a disturbance outside of a local McDonald’s. While he was there, he spotted a BMW that matched the vehicle that evaded him the night before.
Because Officer Brennand suspected the car was stolen, he called for backup. However, he was also justifiably concerned that the suspect would flee again, so he approached to the car before more officers could arrive. Officer Brennand opened the door and ordered the driver, later identified as Erik Cantu Jr., to get out of the car. The suspect disregarded the Officers command to get out of the vehicle and instead the suspect put the car in reverse and began backing the car up. The passenger in the car, Emily Proulx recounted that the vehicle’s door then hit Officer Brennand and that he was dragged by the car as Cantu reversed. It was clear that the suspect was attempting to escape once again and was more than willing to injure Brennand in the process, so Officer Brennan fired his service weapon into the vehicle. The drivers’ door closed and Cantu started to drive off when Brennand fired his gun at the vehicle again.
Erik Cantu Jr. survived his injuries and passenger Emily Proulx was unharmed. Cantu and his family are now suing the City of San Antonio and Officer James Brennand. Since the incident, Cantu has been arrested 4 times and is currently on house arrest. He has also had charges dropped, including evading detention in a vehicle and assault on an officer.
James Brennand, a decorated Army veteran and dedicated police officer, is now facing devastating charges for doing his job. He has been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant and deadly conduct. These charges, if he is found guilty, come with between five years and life in prison.
James acted in a moment of chaos to protect our community, making a split-second decision as he was trained to do. Now, he is being vilified by a politically motivated District Attorney with an anti-cop agenda. They’re trying to take Officer Brennand away from his family and from his 2-year-old son. James deserves justice, and we are fighting to clear his name. But the legal battle is overwhelming, and we cannot do it without your help.
National Center for Police Defense is working with James and his legal team to provide the best defense team for James to fight these unjust charges. We are also assisting the Brennand family during this incredibly difficult time financially as they try to cover legal fees and raising their son while James is unable to work during the trial. Please consider donating to Officer Brennand and his family! Any amount helps!! You can donate here, and please continue to hold this family in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this nightmare!
