Tensions remain high in San Diego after last week's raid of immigration and customs enforcement, with the two Italian restaurants ending with residents of federal agents using flash grenades to protest the protest. The response of elected officials to anger.

The incidents occurred Friday, when armed Homeland Security Investigation Brokers executed a search warrant at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta in South Park, a quiet and tree-lined neighborhood that served popular restaurants according to immigration and city officials.

Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe, a spokesman for the ice agency HSI, said the warrants were linked to so-called "violations of hiring and possession of illegal foreigners and false statements."

She said four people living in the country illegally were detained. She cited the ongoing investigation and provided no additional details.

Buona Forchetta said in a statement that it is working with attorneys to find and support its employees and their families. It also provides support to staff who have witnessed and experienced the events firsthand.

O'Keeffe said a large group of people began to gather as immigration agents were serving a court-authorized arrest warrant, chanting "Shame!" and eventually preventing federal agents from leaving the area.

"Demonstrators became unruly and therefore, deadly noise flash transfer equipment was deployed to allow law enforcement to exit the scene as safely as possible," O'Keefe said. "When a gathering like this is formed, it not only puts law enforcement at risk, but also puts protesters and onlookers trying to hinder law enforcement activities."

Since then, videos shot by demonstrators and bystanders have been distributed on social media. They showed dozens of residents asked federal agents to curse them and called them "Nazi" and "fascists." They also showed residents standing in front of the silver Chevrolet SUV, prompting federal agents to use flash grenades to disperse the crowd, but without effect.

At some point, when government vehicles reversed and exited from the other street, five federal agents, most of whom were armed with assault rifles, approached the crowd.

San Diego City officials condemned the action and questioned the rifle and stun grenades during workplace law enforcement raids that ultimately led to a public response.

"Such federal action is known as a public safety measure, but it has the exact opposite effect," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a statement. "What we see destroying trust and creating fear in our communities."

“It’s unnecessary and shocking force deployed by those federal agents at a restaurant in a residential area,” said Councilman Stephen Whitburn, whose area includes South Park. "Discussions on immigration policy are put on hold, and I want to know the reasons to send dozens of agents, wearing masks, carrying machine guns and wearing all the workers to execute warrants for people who may not have a document. Are you serious?"

"Last Friday was totally unnecessary, residents have the right to be angry at what they witnessed and the anger they made, and they did, and I am proud of it."

Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera responded to the claim and called for a collective response to what he called “state-sponsored terrorism.”

“I have witnessed first-hand the pain and trauma caused when our neighbors target aggressive, military-style federal law enforcement — whether it’s parents arrested while in school, residents deported while appearing in court, or workers ambushed while working at local restaurants,” he said. “It wasn’t safe when Ice Agents rushed into Buona Forchetta with military weapons — it was an attempt to scare San Diegans into compliance.”

In an article on social media platform X, Elo-Rivera posted a photo of federal agents with the word "terrorism." The position caught the attention of Stephen Miller, homeland security adviser and deputy chief of staff of President Trump.

"We live in the remaining era of domestic terrorism. They openly encourage violence against law enforcement to help and teach to violate the United States," Miller wrote on X.

Whitben said he was a supporter of law enforcement and pointed to the professionalism of San Diego police and sheriff’s representatives, who often canceled criminals without criminals and had to use the force used by federal agents last week.

"I doubt if many agents at that restaurant were necessary on Friday," he said. "This raises the question, if not, why are there major force to cause fear? Is it to intimidate residents of the area? Is this what we want our federal government to do?

Buona Forchetta said in a statement that this would be grateful for the support of the residents and their customers.

"Buona Forchetta has always been a family," it read. "We have built a space of trust, dignity and care. We stand together now and forever."