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St. Paul restaurant staff and customers face ICE agent with gun drawn

An ICE agent entered a St. Paul Thai restaurant with his gun drawn while chasing someone who ran past, accusing staff of hiding "the kid." The owner said customers and employees were left traumatized and afraid to return.

Jan 19, 2026St. Paul, MN

Video shows an ICE agent entering Thai restaurant Eastside Thai in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his handgun drawn while searching for a person who had run past the restaurant. Co-owner Kou Lee said the agent accused them of hiding "the kid," while co-owner Elle Lee said the agent was shouting as he entered and that multiple customers and staff were traumatized. Elle Lee said the incident disrupted her business and left staff hesitant to return to work, with some employees showing up worried and scared despite needing to pay bills. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her told PBS Newshour that "people are afraid, they are frustrated, they are angry" regarding immigration enforcement in the area.

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