Federal Agents Raid South Park Restaurants Using Flash Bangs

SAN DIEGO — Heavily armed federal immigration agents raided two South Park restaurants Friday evening, causing chaos and confusion among patrons and employees.

Witnesses reported that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents stormed into Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta on the 3000 block of Beech Street, deploying flash bang grenades to disperse crowds. The restaurants were packed with diners at the time of the raid.

Claire Cody, an employee at Buona Forchetta, recounted the terrifying scene. She told CBS 8 that agents entered with a warrant and immediately handcuffed all employees present. Cody said, “I watched multiple coworkers be taken away by HSI agents,” as chaos unfolded around her.

Dozens of community members gathered outside, shouting at the federal agents and recording the scene as it developed. San Diego Police confirmed they were called in to assist HSI with crowd control.

It remains unclear who specifically was targeted in the raid; officials did not disclose further information as the investigation is ongoing. HSI issued a statement confirming that their agents conducted the enforcement operations at the two restaurants but provided no additional details.

The incident comes on the heels of similar operations by ICE in the region, including a recent raid at an industrial paint shop in El Cajon. The restaurant, a local favorite that typically enjoys a busy dinner service, was forced to close for the evening due to the raid.

ABC 10News received confirmation from HSI Deputy Press Secretary Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, who stated, “As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further releasable information at this time.”