The Parents Of The 17-Year-Old Shot By A Cop Outside McDonald's Have Broken Their Silence

On Tuesday, the Cantu family spoke publicly for the first time about their son's death.

His mother said that he was just mutilated. We don't like to see our son that way.

Cantu remains hospitalized in critical condition and on life support three weeks after the shooting, according to his attorney.

A police officer threw open the driver's side door of Cantu's car because he thought it was a vehicle that had fled from him.

In body camera footage, Officer James Brennand can be heard telling people to get out of the car. Brennand didn't explain why he was being stopped. Cantu tried to close the door and flee. Brennand shot his gun ten times. Video of the incident is upsetting.

Cantu was shot several times. The girl was not hurt.

Two days after the shooting, Brennand was terminated from the police force. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told News 4 San Antonio there wasn't anything he could say in defense of the officer. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of two felony counts of assault by a public servant.

A lawyer for Brennand was not available for comment.

At the news conference, Cantu's mother spoke about the moment she found out about his death.

Imagine getting a phone call when you are getting ready for bed and answering it. Casarez said you don't want to think it's your child. You answer it because you don't know the number. There is a hospital. Your son is asking for you to come, so we need you to get here as quickly as possible. He's been shot, he's been shot by police.

She imagined getting a phone call. Imagine going to the hospital and not knowing what to expect.

She said that Cantu begged for her life after being shot. He was talking to his mother. I just want my mom. She said that the most painful thing to watch was that one.

His father said that Cantu's condition is still very touch and go. He's being treated for gunshot wounds to his body. He has a bullet in his chest that is too dangerous to be removed.

Cantu Jr. said that he had contracted pneumonia. Doctors are treating him with narcotics, which he needs to stay alive and comfortable, but are also trying to wean him off them so as not to obstruct his breathing Cantu has a high risk of going into cardiac arrest without the drugs.

Cantu said that they can see him trying to press the pedal to the car and pushing gun symbols with his hands when he wakes up.

He said these are the things they have to see.

The family is trying to raise money to help with the recovery of their son. Casarez wants Brennand charged with two counts of attempted murder and hopes to see more officers charged.

She said she would like to see former officer Brennand in jail. It isn't safe with him out there.

The young Hispanic teenager was profiled by Brennand.

The excessive use of force on the young child was unjustifiable and unconstitutional. He got his high school degree early. He wanted to be a business person. He wanted to be like his parents.

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