On Wednesday evening, three federal air marshals found themselves in a precarious situation at a restaurant in Lynwood, California, when a crowd mistakenly identified them as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident took place around 6:20 p.m. at Plaza Mexico, located on E. Imperial Highway. While dining at the establishment, the air marshals were recognized as ICE agents by a patron, leading to widespread panic and confusion throughout the restaurant.
As news of the supposed presence of ICE agents spread quickly among diners and on social media, a sizable crowd gathered outside the restaurant. In response to the escalating situation, the air marshals reached out for assistance, prompting a swift deployment of deputies from two nearby stations.
Upon arrival, the deputies established a barrier between the air marshals and the crowd, managing to separate the two groups in the parking lot. After a short period, the federal agents were escorted to the sidewalk, where they were picked up by an unmarked van.
With the protection of the deputies, the van transported the air marshals to the Century Station of the Sheriff’s Department without any arrests being made during the incident. The crowd began to disperse shortly thereafter.
Federal air marshals operate under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
