Police: State Employee Brought Loaded Gun Into Workplace

The California Highway Patrol said Friday that it has arrested a state employee who is accused of bringing a loaded gun to work at the secretary of state's office.

Security officers discovered a backpack with a loaded gun left in a men's bathroom at the agency's downtown Sacramento office on Monday, a state holiday, Officer Sean Kennedy said. CHP officers questioned Bryan Thurmond, 50, when he came to work the next day and arrested him on suspicion of possessing of a firearm in a state building.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla told employees in a memo Friday that the office is seeking a restraining order against Thurmond, who was released from the Sacramento County Jail on Thursday. CHP has been providing additional security in the building's lobby.

Padilla has ordered a security review of the building, which does not have metal detectors and does not screen visitors.

Thurmond is a temporary employee who has worked in the agency's business filings division since July 2013, Chief Deputy Secretary of State Bill Mabie said. Thurmond previously worked for the department from 1992 to 1993.

Kennedy did not know what type of gun was discovered or whether Thurmond had a criminal history. Officials could not say why the gun was left in the bathroom.

"There was reason enough to have concern to seek a restraining order,'' Mabie said.

The Associated Press could not immediately locate Thurmond on Friday.