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'It happens over and over again': Outrage after ex-cop James Brennand who shot Eric Cantu, 17, is out on bond

Social media users claim they have lost trust in the justice department after James Brennand was released after posting $100,000 bond

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: A fired San Antonio police officer who was charged and arrested Tuesday, October 11, for the unprovoked shooting of a 17-year-old boy Eric Cantu was released early Wednesday on bond, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Cantu was left with serious injuries at a McDonald's parking lot last week.

James Brennand turned himself in Tuesday night on two charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. He was released at 4:03 am CT after posting $100,000 bond for each count, the sheriff's office said. The teen is believed to be in a critical yet stable condition. However, the release of the officer has caused a huge uproar on social media, with citizens blaming they have lost trust in the justice department.

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The ordeal unfolded after probationary officer Brennand with seven months of experience responded to an unrelated disturbance call at the restaurant and saw a car he believed had evaded police the day before. The bodycam footage released by authorities shows officer James confronting Cantu, who appeared to be enjoying a burger with a fellow passenger inside the car. He ordered the teen to step out of the automobile and the visibly startled teen put the car in reverse and started backing up until James opened fire at him five times. As the teen shifted the car to move forward, James opened fire an additional five times as the car drove away.

The teenagers were later discovered outside the car a block from the shooting and taken to the hospital, the fellow passenger in the car was uninjured. His family said, he remains on life support and is non-responsive, but his oxygen levels are showing an improvement, reports CNN. The shooting was "unjustified, both administratively and criminally," and went against the department's policies, said Chief William McManus adding, "This was a failure for one individual police officer. It had nothing to do with our policies." McManus said department policy prohibits officers from shooting at moving vehicles unless their life or someone else's life is in immediate danger. The aggravated assault charges could rise to homicide if the 17-year-old does not survive.

Social media users were in shock and sickened after learning the news of his release. Attorney Ben Crump took to Twitter to express his abhorrence and wrote, "Former San Antonio (TX) police officer James Brennand has been released on bond on charges of aggravated assault after shooting 17-yo Erik Cantu." "The teen remains on life support and in CRITICAL condition in the hospital, yet this cop can be bonded out. This is ridiculous," he remarked. Another recalling Chief William McManus comment on officer James, said, "was a 'failure for one individual police officer, the San Antonio police chief said Tuesday.' Yet it happens over and over and over again." Whilst another chimed, "This is precisely why many citizens do not trust their local law enforcement agencies. #AggravatedAssault should not be bondable at all." Another user added a Gif depicting a man banging his hand on the table out of frustration. A user simply wrote, the teen did not deserve this and that James is a menace to society. "#ErikCantu did not deserve what happened to him , James Brennand is a menace to society," he wrote. Two users continue to conversate how low the bond was, "pitifully low bond at that...." Added another, "Yes really low, should been a 1/2 million each."

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