Coast Guard Opens Fire on U-Haul Truck at Base Entrance

A U-Haul truck attempted to enter the Coast Guard Base Alameda in Northern California late on March 14, 2024, prompting Coast Guard personnel to open fire after the driver ignored commands to stop. The incident occurred around 22:00 local time when security personnel observed the vehicle driving erratically and attempting to back into the base.

According to a spokesperson from the U.S. Coast Guard, the actions of the driver posed a direct safety threat to personnel. “Coast Guard personnel issued multiple verbal commands to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply and proceeded to put the vehicle in reverse,” officials stated, as reported by ABC News. The situation escalated when the vehicle’s movements prompted law enforcement officers to discharge several rounds of live fire.

The driver of the U-Haul truck was injured after fleeing the scene but was later apprehended. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that the individual was under evaluation for mental health issues following an alleged attempt to use the vehicle to ram into Coast Guard Base Alameda. A bystander was also injured during the incident, struck by a fragment, but was treated and released from a nearby hospital.

### Context of the Incident

Reports indicate that the U-Haul truck had been parked outside the base for most of the day prior to the event. The incident coincided with a protest outside Coast Guard Base Alameda, where demonstrators were attempting to prevent U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from entering the facility. This protest may have contributed to the heightened tensions at the base.

Coast Guard Island, where the incident occurred, is a 67-acre man-made island situated in the Oakland Estuary between Oakland and Alameda. Established in 1913, it serves as a restricted area, requiring specific government identification or an escort for public access. The island has housed Coast Guard Base Alameda since 2012.

Despite the chaos, there were no injuries reported among Coast Guard personnel during the incident. Further details regarding the driver and the circumstances surrounding their actions remain limited, and investigations are ongoing.