SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — The family of 17-year-old Erik Cantu has now spoken publicly for the first time since he was shot by a former San Antonio police officer.

They were joined at a Tuesday press conference by high-profile attorney Ben Crump, who also gave an update on Erik’s status in the hospital.

Erik was shot in a McDonald’s parking lot while sitting in his car with a passenger after James Brennand opened the driver’s side door and ordered Cantu to get out. The teen refused, put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space he was in, the car door hitting Brennand along the way. The former officer then pulled his gun and fired numerous shots into the moving car.

Cantu was hit several times during the discharge.

“We don’t even know how many. We assume there’s been four because that’s how many bullets have been recovered, with the exception of one that is still lodged near his heart. They’re unable to get that out right now, it would do more harm than good,” said Erik’s mother, Victoria Caceres.

Erik has been on life support since the shooting.

Brennand was fired three days after the shooting and is now facing two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant. He posted a bond of $200,000 the day after he turned himself in.

KENS 5 reports Brennand had spent less than one year on the job with SAPD, so he is not eligible for benefits provided by the San Antonio Police Officers Association.

Brennand has a hearing set for November 23.

Crump is a visible civil rights attorney known for his work in numerous high-profile cases, including those involving Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Breonna Taylor.

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