Shocking Footage: Security Opens Fire After U-Haul Truck Backs Toward U.S. Coast Guard Base During Anti-ICE Protest
A tense standoff outside the U.S. Coast Guard base in Alameda, California, erupted into chaos late Thursday night when security officers opened fire at a U-Haul truck that reversed toward them during an anti-ICE protest. The dramatic confrontation, captured on camera, quickly went viral as footage showed the truck backing toward the base gate while demonstrators cheered in the background.
Witnesses say the U-Haul sped in reverse toward officers guarding the bridge to Coast Guard Island after ignoring verbal commands to stop. Officers, fearing for their safety, discharged multiple rounds as the vehicle continued to move in their direction. The driver was reportedly struck, then stopped, checked his phone, and appeared disoriented before being taken into custody.
The incident occurred after a long day of protests involving hundreds of demonstrators opposing federal immigration policies and the presence of ICE agents in the Bay Area. For most of the day, the protest had remained peaceful — with chants, banners, and speakers denouncing deportation efforts. But tensions escalated after sunset when law enforcement began to reinforce security around the base.
Authorities confirmed that the driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and is undergoing both medical and psychological evaluation. A bystander was hit by a bullet fragment and treated at a nearby hospital before being released. No Coast Guard or law enforcement officers were injured during the exchange.
Officials from the Coast Guard later stated that the decision to open fire came only after the vehicle’s movements presented what they described as a “direct and immediate threat.” According to their report, officers issued multiple warnings before the driver reversed at high speed, ignoring instructions to stop. Investigators from the FBI and local agencies have since joined the inquiry to determine the driver’s motive and whether the act was intentional or linked to the protests.
Earlier in the day, demonstrators had gathered peacefully near the base, chanting “No ICE in the Bay” and holding signs calling for the end of federal immigration raids. The protest was part of a larger movement responding to the Trump administration’s recent immigration enforcement measures. Organizers say their goal was to express solidarity with migrants detained at border facilities and to demand local non-cooperation with federal agents.
As night fell, a smaller group of demonstrators remained near the bridge entrance, some clashing verbally with security. The scene turned chaotic after the U-Haul incident, as officers quickly secured the area and protesters were pushed back. Videos circulating on social media show protesters shouting as gunfire erupted, followed by flashing red and blue lights illuminating the bridge.
Federal officials described the incident as isolated but serious, emphasizing that the use of force was justified under the circumstances. Coast Guard representatives said they would review the sequence of events, including whether additional crowd-control measures could have prevented the escalation.
The dramatic video has sparked a heated online debate about the balance between security measures and protest rights, with some praising officers for acting swiftly to protect themselves, while others questioned the need for lethal force. The driver’s identity has not yet been released pending formal charges.
By morning, the area around Coast Guard Island had been cleared, but the footage continues to draw nationwide attention — highlighting once again how quickly demonstrations can turn volatile when law enforcement and protest movements intersect under high political tension.
