Richmond police use pepper spray at Cochiloco World Cup party
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Some of the fights that broke out outside Cochiloco. Screenshots: Courtesy of Chris Ford
Multiple fights broke out at a packed World Cup watch party outside of Cochiloco in Scott's Addition, which ended with police pepper spraying fans Tuesday night to disperse the crowd.
- The scene left people inside scrambling out the kitchen and confused about what happened, per eyewitness accounts shared with Axios.
Why it matters: The popular Mexican restaurant has become one of Richmond's go-to spots for World Cup matches, with crowds regularly spilling onto the sidewalk before kickoff — especially when Mexico plays.
- Now, Cochiloco management tells Axios "we will not be hosting big matches until further notice."
The big picture: Axios spoke to six attendees who said Richmond police officers entered Cochiloco moments after hundreds of fans inside and outside the restaurant celebrated Mexico scoring its first goal against Ecuador around 10:22pm.
- That's "when everything started going bad," says Chris Ford, who had stepped outside before the goal.
- All six told Axios that officers deployed pepper spray, including near the Cochiloco's front entrance, sending some customers to rush the other way.
- "There were girls crying because it got in their eyes," Ford says.
The Richmond Police Department confirmed much of the sequence of events described by witnesses.
- In a statement, RPD says officers deployed "department-issued foggers" — which use the same ingredients found in pepper spray — as fights broke out and the crowds made it "difficult to safely access the building."
- Officers also called the Richmond Fire Marshal, which enforces occupancy and fire safety rules, to determine whether the venue was safe.
- RPD denies using the chemical agent inside Cochiloco. One man was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge, according to police.
Zoom in: One video — which has been viewed over 174,000 times — shows dozens of people inside chaotically dispersing afterward, moving through Cochiloco's kitchen to exit out the back as someone yells, "They're macing people."
- Some can be heard coughing.
- Another video shared with Axios, timestamped 10:28pm, shows multiple fights outside that RPD appears to break up with a chemical agent from a red canister.
- By 10:31pm, Cochiloco was empty, with overturned chairs and food strewn across the floor, per a video shared with Axios. But the scene continued around West Moore Street.
What they're saying: Cochiloco management tells Axios they're reviewing staffing, capacity and event procedures and will remain closed Sunday, as usual, which is when Mexico plays again.
- They'll also close Wednesday and reopen Thursday with otherwise regular hours.
What we're watching: Whether Cochiloco's pause on major watch parties proves temporary, or marks the end of one of Richmond's defining World Cup gathering spots as the tournament heads into the Round of 16.