Norfolk Store Owner Recounts ICE Raid Inside Their Business

Employees at Lempira Latin Store describe a chaotic scene as a customer was chased and detained by federal agents.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The co-owner of Lempira Latin Store in Norfolk, Virginia, Elena Moreno, recounted a disturbing incident where federal immigration agents chased and detained a customer inside their store. Moreno said the agents burst in, causing panic and fear among the other customers, and left the store's kitchen in disarray. She recorded video of the incident, which showed the detained man screaming "I can't breathe." Moreno expressed outrage over the agents' actions, saying it was "unjust" and has left the Hispanic community in the area feeling fearful.

Why it matters

The incident at Lempira Latin Store highlights the ongoing tensions and fears within immigrant communities regarding immigration enforcement actions, even in places where they should feel safe like local businesses. It also raises questions about the tactics and accountability of federal immigration agents operating in residential and commercial areas.

The details

According to Moreno, a regular customer at the store came running in, being chased by three to four ICE agents. Moreno said she locked the front door to try to prevent the agents from entering further, but they were still able to detain the man behind the building. Moreno recorded video showing the man screaming "I can't breathe" during the incident. After about five minutes, the agents left, leaving the store's kitchen trashed and the other customers panicked and fearful.

  • The incident occurred on a normal business day at Lempira Latin Store in Norfolk, Virginia.

The players

Elena Moreno

The co-owner of Lempira Latin Store in Norfolk, Virginia, who witnessed and recorded the ICE raid on a customer inside her store.

Lempira Latin Store

A Latin grocery store that has operated in Norfolk, Virginia for 17 years without any previous incidents, until the recent ICE raid on a customer inside the store.

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What they’re saying

“What they did to this man was unjust. It's unjust what they did here to us, our business, our customers. All they did was spark panic and fear in our Hispanic community, especially in this area, an area that has always been good to us. Never thought this would happen to us.”

— Elena Moreno, Co-owner, Lempira Latin Store

The takeaway

This incident at Lempira Latin Store underscores the ongoing challenges and fears faced by immigrant communities regarding aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, even in places where they should feel safe and secure. It raises important questions about the accountability and oversight of federal agents operating in local neighborhoods and businesses.