Erik Cantu survived getting shot by the police, but he can’t stay out of trouble

Описание: Erik Cantu, the teenager who was shot by a San Antonio police officer in 2022, appeared in court Thursday after prosecutors said he violated the conditions of his probation for a pair of evading arrest cases.

Cantu, now 19, pleaded no contest to the charges back on Sept. 9 and received seven years of deferred adjudication and 200 hours of community service. As part of the plea, Cantu's license was suspended for two years.

It was back in October of 2022 that a then-17-year-old Cantu was shot multiple times in the parking lot of a McDonald's on Blanco Rd. while backing up and driving away from an officer who approached his vehicle.

He spent nearly two months in the hospital after sustaining injuries to his lungs, liver, stomach and arms. The evading arrest charges came nearly a year later for a pair of incidents that took place a few days apart in September of 2023. It would be another year before he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and received probation for the cases in September of this year.

"I don't want to make excuses or anything," Cantu told the judge at the time of his sentencing two months ago. "I'm sorry. I never want to go through this ever again."

However, prosecutors said, just one month after sentencing, Cantu was observed driving his father's vehicle after an October meeting with his probation officer, a violation of his community supervision terms.

"I offer to the court to be mindful that he's 19 years old. He's experienced a significant traumatic event," Cantu's attorney Christopher Ramos told Judge Stephanie Boyd on Thursday. "Prior to the shooting, he has no criminal history. Not even juvenile history."

When questioned by prosecutors, Cantu's father Eric Cantu confirmed his son had used his vehicle previously. "He's not allowed to use that vehicle," his father said.

"Pardon me, Mr. Cantu. I didn't ask if he's allowed to use the vehicle," prosecutor Harris Edelman clarified. "I asked if he does use the vehicle. Does he?"

"He has used the vehicle in the past, yes sir," the father replied.

Cantu was re-arrested Nov. 7 for driving on a suspended license and one other charge. The defense reiterated that Cantu only drove to see his probation officer. "It's a young man, his first time on probation, trying to get this right," Ramos said. "Doing the best that he can. Reporting to probation. He just went about it the wrong way."

Edelman wasn't moved by this excuse, considering the fact that Cantu has only been on probation 49 days.

"Your honor, considering the relative rapidity with which Mr. Cantu is alleged to have violated the conditions of his supervision, it does not seem that Mr. Cantu is very good at, shall we say, following rules," he said.

To get him out of jail, Cantu's family members say they will need a more affordable bond - somewhere around $10,000 - since they say lingering injuries from the shooting have prevented him from having a job.

"He has PTSD, severe anxiety, paranoia," his father explained.

"As a result of the shooting, has he had an opportunity or physical capability to work," Ramos asked the father. "The answer to that is no," the father replied.

"As a result of the injuries to his lungs, it's difficult for him to engage in physical activity?" Ramos continued. "Correct," the father said.

"Do you think he could benefit from a GPS monitor to assure that he's going to remain at home," the defense asked. "We've benefited from it before, so if we need it, we will follow that," the father responded.

Judge Boyd ended up setting his bond at $30,000 per charge and ordered full GPS monitoring. Cantu's next court appearance is Dec. 10, when Judge Boyd will decide whether to revoke his probation.

_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:

WOAI on Instagram:   / news4sa  
WOAI on Facebook:   / news4sa  
WOAI on Twitter:   / news4sa  
Subscribe to WOAI on YouTube:    / @woaivideo  

Daily News Playlist:
   • WOAI 4 San Antonio Daily News Digest  

For more information, visit https://news4sanantonio.com/


Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: [email protected]
Call the Newsroom: 210.442-6397

WOAI is a TX based station and an NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.

#WOAI #NEWS4SA #NEWS4SanAntonio #WOAI4 #SanAntonio