Tear-gas exploded inside county government center, apparently by accident

A tear-gas canister was deployed inside the County Administration Center— apparently by accident — Sunday night as sheriff's deputies responded to a protest against law enforcement abuses outside the building.

It resulted in the closure of the buildings to employees Monday and Tuesday. County spokesman Michael Workman characterized the damage as minimal.

"There were no evacuations," he said. "The building was empty other than law enforcement. That remediation was minor and is complete."

Workman said the county government center suffered some damage to windows and doors, and repairs are underway.

"There is no cost information available yet. It will be covered by insurance," he said. "The building is expected to be open to staff beginning late today or tomorrow. Likely to be open to the public later in the week depending on repairs to doors and windows."

He referred additional questions to the Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Ricardo Lopez did not respond to requests for information about the incident.

The County Administration Center was the site of a community protest Sunday, when thousands of people turned out to object to the death last week of Minneapolis resident George Floyd at the hands of police and to protest other law enforcement abuses.

Floyd, an African-American man, was pronounced dead on Memorial Day after a Minneapolis police officer placed his knee on Flynn's neck for more than 8 minutes.

San Diego, La Mesa and dozens of cities across the country have seen widespread protests, looting and clashes over the way police and sheriff's departments respond to people of color, especially blacks.

Protesters this week accused San Diego police and sheriff's deputies of escalating peaceful demonstrations by using tear gas, flash-bang devices, rubber bullets and other tools to disperse crowds.

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