San Antonio teen awake and alert in hospital weeks after being shot by now-fired officer

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KTRK) -- A San Antonio teenager who was shot by a police officer while trying to eat a hamburger is now awake and alert, according to the family's GoFundMe page.

The page also says 17-year-old Erik Cantu is sitting up and interacting with people in his hospital room.

Erik was put on a ventilator after he was shot by now-fired San Antonio police officer James Brennand last month.

Video shows Brennand trying to detain Erik while he was eating then opening fire on the teen as he tried to drive away.

The shooting stems from an encounter the two had the night before.

Police have said Brennand was responding to an unrelated disturbance when he saw Erik inside a car he believed had evaded him the day before during an attempted traffic stop. Brennand said he suspected the car was stolen.

Police have said that although registration plates didn't match the vehicle Cantu was operating, the car itself was not stolen.

Brennand was fired and charged with felony assault by a public servant.

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