image:16808:0::0

A video that was released recently shows the officers blocking exits as hundreds of young patrons tried to flee. The owners of the bar were suspected of serving alcohol to minors.

The incident took place last week in a gritty section of Northern Mexico City at a bar called the News Divine. The incident also caused a flurry of finger-pointing and has been the talk of the capital for days.

The deceased were remember by family members as they stood in front of the bar and demanded punishment for the police and borough officials involved in the raid.

Police Chief Joel Ortega has been asked to resign by some politicians but he has stood his ground and said that he will punish any officers who are found to have acted improperly.

Marcelo Ebrard, the left-wing mayor, denounced the raid and used some harsh language when doing so. He vowed that there would be an investigation that will be thorough and corrective measures would be taken.

Three of the officers were left dead and nine patrons were also left dead. Alfonso Maya Ortiz is the bar's owner and he has been arrested by police. In Mexico the drinking age is 18.

On late Friday afternoon hundreds of young revelers were celebrating the end of the school year and they were packed inside the bar when police arrived.

When police arrive the owner announced the raid over a loudspeaker and told everyone to leave and promised free entrance the following week. Witnesses say that the were quickly trapped amid stifling heat.

A 16-year-old teen said that the police told everyone that they were not going anywhere and than closed the doors. The teen that says that everyone was getting desperate because there was no air.

Police videotape shows a chaotic scene in which patrons are seen pressed against the exits and many of them were screaming in fear. You can also hear the pounding of fists on the locked doors.

The footage also shows a scene outside the bar in which police attempted to revive those who had collapse.

A separate footage was captured by an onlooker and in the video you can see helmeted police using their shields to strike some of the escaping patrons.

Guillermo Zayas was in charge of the operation and he was immediately fired after the raid and prosecutors are considering charges against him.

The bar's neighbors told authorities that they had complained repeatedly about suspected underage drinking and possible drug use. On Tuesday the top official for the Gustavo A. Madero borough said that an inspection of the bar in August found several code violations but no evidence of serving alcohol to minors.