Agitators swarm California restaurant after mistaking TSA officers for ICE agents

( Post Millennial )

Agitators descended on a restaurant in Lynwood, California, on Wednesday evening after reportedly mistaking three off-duty Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The incident occurred at a Korean barbecue restaurant in the Plaza Mexico shopping area, where the TSA employees were simply eating dinner.

According to local media reports, someone in the vicinity misidentified the officers, prompting a rapid gathering of anti-ICE demonstrators. A crowd quickly formed outside the establishment, with protesters using whistles and air horns. The agitators harassed the diners, surrounding the restaurant in what officials described as a frenzied response over increased nationwide tension surrounding immigration enforcement.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene to control the crowd. The three federal air marshals were safely escorted out of the restaurant. No arrests were made, and the crowd eventually dispersed.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson condemned the incident, telling Fox News that the agitators had been incited by political rhetoric targeting DHS employees. TSA spokesman Nick Dyer added that such harassment was "reprehensible" and called for an end to violent rhetoric against federal workers.

One restaurant customer, Osbaldo Bretado, commented on the mix-up, noting that emotions can lead to mistakes and that people sometimes take out their frustrations on the wrong targets. There have been similar instances of misidentification elsewhere, such as a recent incident in Minnesota, where software engineers were harassed on the false belief that they were ICE agents.

Authorities emphasized that the individuals involved were TSA personnel, not ICE agents, and were not on duty in any enforcement capacity. Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.