Chula Vista police used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of about 200 people Sunday night after Mexico’s World Cup knockout-round loss to England, according to the department.
Police said the crowd gathered near Third Avenue and F Street around 8:30 p.m. after patrons left nearby bars and restaurants. According to police, some people began throwing bottles, launching fireworks into the air and toward the crowd, and blocking marked patrol vehicles.
The department also released photos showing damage to one patrol vehicle, including a large dent in the back passenger door and footprints near the driver’s-side gas tank door.
Witness Nicko Savala recorded the incident on a cell phone. “They shot pepper balls in front of them on the ground. It was kids there.”
Savala said most people covered their noses or faces after the chemical irritant was deployed and the crowd quickly dispersed.
“I realized they were shooting chemicals at us I was like whoa, that’s when everyone dispersed but I feel like they took it way too far,” he said.
Mariana Cardenas, owner of Balboa Bar and Grill, said many people tried to get back inside businesses as the crowd dispersed. “Everybody started coughing and people throwing up.”
“There was kids there was pregnant women there was families running away from them. They were trying to get inside businesses,” Cardenas said.
She said police had attempted to close off the street and had the special events patrol in the area before the match started, unlike during other matches.
She said she understood why officers responded the way they did. “People were starting to get riled up and the police had to do what they had to do.”
Police said no one suffered severe injuries, and no arrests were made.
After the scene calmed, cell phone video showed an officer sharing a lighthearted moment with lingering fans, dancing briefly before giving someone a hug.
Cardenas said she hopes businesses, the city, police and the public can work together during future celebrations. “Let people celebrate let’s all work together with business with city with the police department and obviously we ask the people. To behave yourself.”
In part of an emailed statement, a police spokesperson told NBC 7, “Our officers were there to help prevent injuries, protect community members and nearby businesses, and restore safe conditions when the gathering became disruptive.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.