User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 594 (something something ech)/@comment-1604252-20140829084654

So I guess it's safe to assume that Pepe was NOT the one who attacked the SRDI during the first invasion, seeing as he does not control people. I never understood why people thought he was the one who attacked the SRDI and controlled everyone, just because he has a staff with an eye on it. The cackling laughter at the controlled individuals was also not a "KHEHEHEHEHE!!"

I always assumed it was Shaz. He was attacking Akon, who was at or near the SRDI (wherever that barrier in the sky of his was) when he helped Ichigo into SS. And I figure it makes more sense that controlling people was his ability. Maybe he does it through those knives of his. I certainly hope he's still alive and wasn't merely given 5 seconds of spotlight just to make Ichigo's entrance into the Sereitei look cool.