Death after use of pepper spray in a vehicle is investigated by the Civil Police in MG

Maurício Pereira dos Santos died after a police approach in Corinto, last Friday (6). During the incident, a police officer used pepper spray and closed the compartment of the vehicle where he was.

The Civil Police of Minas Gerais are investigating the death of a man after a police approach in Corinto. The corporation awaits expert reports to clarify the case this Wednesday (11).

Recorded images show a military police officer spraying pepper spray inside the compartment where Maurício Pereira dos Santos was. Family members say he was suffering a psychotic break.

According to the Military Police, Maurício threatened family members and attacked police officers. He was restrained, taken to a health unit and died after presenting a clinical complication.

The Civil Police of Minas Gerais (PCMG) is investigating the death of a man that occurred after an approach by the Military Police, in Corinto, in the Central region of Minas Gerais. The corporation reported that it has already carried out investigations, including interviewing witnesses, and is awaiting the conclusion of expert reports to clarify the circumstances of the death.

The case gained repercussion after the release of a video showing the moment in which a military police officer sprayed pepper spray into the rear compartment of the vehicle, where the man, identified as Maurício Pereira dos Santos, was. According to the Military Police, Maurício died after being taken for medical care.

In a statement, the Civil Police reported, this Wednesday (11), that investigations are ongoing and that other steps are still planned.

"PCMG awaits the conclusion of the expert reports, which will be essential in determining the cause of death. So far, there is no conclusion about the circumstances of what happened."

In the images circulating on social media, Maurício appears inside the security compartment of the vehicle when the police officer uses pepper spray inside. Then the soldier closes the door. While the police officer remains next to the car, the man shouts for help: "Help! This isn't the police. Help, help me here!"

According to family members, Maurício was in a psychotic episode at home when neighbors called the police. In a demonstration on social media, they asked that the approach and the period in which he was in military custody be investigated.

In a statement, the Military Police reported that they were called to respond to an incident of domestic violence. According to the corporation, Maurício was armed with an ax and a knife and was threatening his partner and the couple's son, a five-month-old baby.

According to the police report, the police found the woman in the backyard, with the child in her lap, while Maurício appeared at the door with the two objects. After negotiation, he left the weapons inside the residence, but tried to escape and, according to the military's report, started attacking them with punches and kicks.

The police record states that the team used immobilization techniques, tonfa blows to the torso and threw Maurício to the ground to be able to handcuff him. According to the corporation, even after being restrained, he continued to struggle and push the officers with his feet.

During the trip to the emergency room, the military reported that he remained agitated, shouted, made threats and repeatedly hit his head and feet against the internal structure of the vehicle. The bulletin points out that he suffered injuries to different parts of his body, mainly his head, hands and feet. The document does not mention the use of pepper spray inside the vehicle, recorded in the images released.

Upon arriving at the health unit, Maurício continued to display aggressive behavior, according to the PM. Police said they had to restrain him again to allow medical attention. The health team administered medication and, approximately 30 minutes later, informed the military that he had presented a clinical problem and had no vital signs.

The body was sent to the Legal Medical Institute (IML) for the necessary procedures to confirm death and determine the cause of death.