Armed federal agents violently attacked and assaulted the owner and some workers of Panchos Tacos restaurant in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The attackers were not ICE, but rather Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They appear to be related, and their tactics were similar, as they violently assaulted and kidnapped brown-skinned people trying to come to work. When the owner drove up to his restaurant with one of his workers Thursday morning they were approached by HSI with guns drawn and were assaulted and detained.

The owner is a US citizen who was born in the country. Several workers fled the scene. Some were caught and taken away. Their conditions and whereabouts are unknown to the general community. Reports are that the location is known to some, but not being released because families of those kidnapped are fearful that if protesters turn up at the detention location, it might cause violence and harm to their loved ones being detained there.

Two days later, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, a large group of people turned up on “The Square,” a small park in the center of downtown Mount Vernon, to protest the racist violence brought upon the peaceful community by violent armed federal agents. Estimates of those present are that 90-100 protesters were there. They displayed signs and chanted in protest surrounding the entire park.

Mount Vernon is the county seat of Knox County, a highly “red” area with many Trump signs still displayed around the community.  Even with its Republican-dominated political character, many passing cars honked their horns in support of the protesters, and surprisingly, only one pro-Trump guy was observed on an electric bicycle driving around the square with raised fist screaming “Go Trump!” 

Mount Vernon City officials and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department have reported that they were not informed in advance of the federal attack. Some have questioned the reports since Sheriff’s deputies were reportedly observed present during the raid.

Mount Vernon officials did release a statement calling for due process for its citizens and saying that more information would be released as it becomes available. This is an ongoing, evolving situation.

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Bruce Kiracofe was formerly happily and peacefully enjoying "Inactive Status" as an Ohio Attorney at Law. He recently reactivated his law license due to current crisis in USA. Currently he is serving on the KnoHoCoAshland Community Action Commission Board of Directors and serves on the Cedar Key (Florida) Audubon Board of Directors. Bruce is the former CEO of the KnoHoCoAshland Community Action Commission, former Midwest Regional Organizer for the Alaska Wilderness League, and former Visiting Professor of Clinical Studies at the Capital University Law & Graduate Center. Also Bruce had served as Continuing Legal Education Director for Columbus Bar Association, was founding director and clinic and litigation attorney of the Columbus Housing Law Project, and was a Research Attorney for the Ohio State Legal Services Association. He has had decades of fun service as a COMFEST volunteer annually.