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Teen, 17, shot by San Antonio cop in McDonald’s parking lot, finally returns home – after weeks of painstaking hospital treatment
- 17-year-old Erik Cantu was able to enjoy Thanksgiving at home almost two months after the incident
- Cantu’s parents are ‘overjoyed with his progress’ but say he has ‘a long road to recovery’
- A GoFundMe account for the teen has raised $47,000 so far
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The family of a teen who had to fight for his life after he was shot by a San Antonio cop in a McDonald’s parking lot have said their “prayers have been answered” after he was finally released from the hospital.
Erik Cantu, 17, returned home in time for Thanksgiving after arriving home nearly two months after the incident, his family confirmed in a statement Wednesday.
Cantu was shot multiple times on October 2 by Texas police officer James Brennand as he backed up while eating a hamburger.
Cantu’s parents said they are “overjoyed with his progress over the past two weeks,” but that he “has a long road to recovery.”
Cantu (pictured) will now be able to enjoy Thanksgiving, having returned to his home for nearly two months after being shot numerous times by Texas police officer James Brennand. His family said, “This is Erik’s miracle!”
“Our family’s prayers have been answered and we are incredibly grateful to have our son Erik in our home,” the family said in a statement posted to Twitter by their attorney Ben Crump.
They added, “It means a lot to us to be able to spend Thanksgiving as a family outside the hospital walls, where we’ve lived since Erik was horribly injured.
“We are thankful for the many blessings this week – Erik’s strength, everyone who supported us during Erik’s hospitalization, and the grace of God. Thank you.’
A GoFundMe account set up for Cantu has raised $47,000 so far.
Cantu’s uncle Ruben Carranco previously posted a message saying the teen is “in critical condition, on a ventilator” at University Hospital, San Antonio, describing his injuries as “serious.”
He said the money raised will be used for Cantu’s medical bills and to help his parents provide care.
Brennand (pictured left) was charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a government official and was fired from the police force. In body camera footage released by police, Brennand opens the door of his vehicle and orders Cantu (pictured right) to leave
Earlier this month, family said he was awake and interacting with people after coming off a ventilator San Antonio Express News reported.
Police later said Brennand was reacting to an unrelated disturbance when he spotted the teen in a car he believed had passed him during an attempted traffic stop the previous day.
Following the incident, the 27-year-old rookie officer was charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a government official and was fired from the police force.
Police said Brennand failed to follow police procedures and training after approaching the car, which they said was stolen.
Despite the car’s license plates matching those of the vehicle, it was not stolen, according to police.
On body camera footage released by police, Brennand opens the door of his vehicle and orders Cantu to leave.
The car then reverses with the door open, and the officer fires at the vehicle several times, continuing to do so as the car drives away.
The GoFundMe account set up for Cantu (pictured) has raised $47,000 so far. On Wednesday, his family posted: “He’s HOME! We believed in the Lord and relied on all your prayers to see this day!’
A GoFundMe post from Cantu’s family on Wednesday said, “He’s HOME! We believed in the Lord and relied on all your prayers to see this day!
“We didn’t know what the future held weeks ago.
“Today we know with faith, prayers, family, love, wonderful doctors and nursing staff along with tons of future rehab that our miracle has a chance!!
‘This is Erik’s miracle!’