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During the conflict after the anti-interpretation demonstration yesterday, police officers held a "pepper ball launcher" and pointed at the demonstrators. According to foreign reports, improper use of pepper balls can cause casualties.

During the anti-interpretation march yesterday afternoon, a group called on the demonstrators to turn to the Joint Office of the Communist Party of China to protest, and then clashed with the police. At that time, the police sprayed pepper spray on the demonstrators, and some police officers pointed "pepper ball launcher" at the demonstrators, but they did not use it.

It is said that after the conflict in Mongkok in the Chinese New Year, the police have added weapons that can distance the demonstrators and bought a small amount of pepper ball guns as recommended in the report.

"Pepper ball" will be ejected like tear gas when used, but it is more portable. When it hits the ground, it will emit rubber bullets, and at the same time release irritating gas, like pepper spray, to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. Although pepper balls are generally regarded as non-lethal weapons and the use guidelines recommend avoiding targeting the face, throat or spine of the target, if they are hit by mistake, there are still death cases in foreign countries.

Boston student was shot in the eye and died

In 2004, after the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees, fans celebrated in the street. The police fired pepper balls to disperse the crowd, and unfortunately hit Victoria Snelgrove, a communications student, in the eye, causing her massive bleeding. Snelgrove died 12 hours after being shot. The autopsy report said that the pepper ball made a 3/4 inch hole behind her eye and spread into 9 pieces, damaging her right brain.

In the police investigation report, the policeman who fired the pepper ball, Rochefort Milien, said that he had originally targeted another fan, but missed the auxiliary car, which led to Snelgrove's death. Kathleen O'Toole, then Boston Police Commissioner, acknowledged the police's responsibility in this matter, but criticized the saboteurs for turning the incident into a riot, believing that they were the real cause of Snelgrove's death.

In 2005, the Boston government announced an agreement with Snelgrove's family to compensate US $5.1 million. Her family also claimed US $10 million from FN Herstal, the weapon manufacturer of pepper balls. An agreement was reached in 2006, but the amount of compensation was not disclosed.