The shooting of a juggler in the street has provoked protests over alleged police violence in southern Chile, where several buildings were set on fire and an agent was arrested to investigate
SANTIAGO, Chile – The shooting of a juggler on the street has sparked protests over alleged police violence in southern Chile, with several buildings set on fire and an officer arrested for investigations on Saturday.
Local media showed about 10 buildings on fire in the southern tourist town of Panguipulli after the shooting on Friday and authorities denounced other protests in Santiago, the capital.
Police said Francisco Martinez Romero, 27, resisted police in a routine identity check.
A video widely circulated on social media showed an agent firing at the feet of the man, who was carrying and sometimes waving what appeared to be two blunt machetes used in his performance. After a moment, he jumped up and rushed towards the officer. Several shots were fired and the man collapsed on the street.
A local judge ordered that the agent, who was not identified, be kept under investigation for two days.
The video angered some in the country, which has seen repeated controversies over allegations of police brutality against protesters in recent years. The National Human Rights Institute says more than 450 people suffered eye damage from allegedly non-lethal projectiles fired by police during street protests that erupted in 2019.