That is one theory, based on a conversation captured on another (not-directly-involved, but on-site) office’s bodycam footage. It isn’t really conclusive, it’s on-scene hearsay from what is likely the downstream end of a game of telephone.
The more productive avenue for discussions, in my opinion, is to consider whether firing pepper balls at non-violent individuals is perhaps negligent or reckless use of force, that escalates the situation without solving anything.