Police Pepper Spray Incident at DF Bar Leaves Patrons Unwell

Two women fell ill following an intervention by the Military Police (PM) at a bar in Itapoã, Distrito Federal, on Sunday morning, May 5th. The bar's owner, Francisco Barbosa da Silva, stated that police officers used pepper spray both outside and inside the establishment while it was closing down around 12:40 AM. He reported that an employee was affected by the spray and required treatment at a local UPA, and that two female patrons fainted during the incident. Videos recorded by witnesses and internal bar security cameras appear to show the chaotic moments, including one woman on the ground and another being carried away, as well as a woman fainting. The Military Police, in a statement, claimed their team was patrolling the area when they encountered a "generalized fight" inside the bar. According to the police, their orders to cease the aggression were ignored by the individuals involved. Citing a numerical disadvantage with only four officers against a crowd, the police stated they deployed a "tear gas dispenser" to disperse the commotion. The PM also noted that social media videos present only a partial view of the event and that the bar has a history of fights and disturbances among its patrons. No arrests were made as the individuals involved dispersed before they could be identified. The police further clarified that the use of tear gas is considered an intermediate response, employed to de-escalate mutual aggression and ensure public safety, adhering to principles of necessity and proportionality. They also highlighted the bar's recurring issues with altercations, leading to frequent patrols to prevent escalation.