It was taken on March 23, 2011 during a public protest in the city of Niterói, Brazil (part of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro) by Peter Kirilos of O Globo (The Globe), Rio’s largest daily newspaper. Publication of the image prompted an investigation by the state prosecutor, who filed a complaint in July denouncing the two military police officers involved, Captain Bruno Schorcht and soldier D’Angelo de Matos Pinel, and demanding their immediate suspension for abuse of authority. 

Subsequent news reports claimed Captain Schorcht was “punished” for his actions by being transferred to another battalion and promoted to the rank of Major, but according to O Globo columnist Ancelmo Gois, Schorcht’s name was “taken off the list” for promotion after the state prosecutor’s complaint was filed.