January 1, U-Haul Attack on Coast Guard Sparks Gunfire

Wyatt’s Take

• Federal officers fired at a U-Haul driver after he ignored commands.
• Officials say the driver posed a direct threat by accelerating toward personnel.
• The suspect was arrested and faces serious federal charges.

Federal prosecutors charged a 26-year-old Oakland man after he allegedly drove a U-Haul at Coast Guard personnel outside the Alameda base last month.

According to court documents, Brendan Munro Thompson was accused of assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon on October 23.

Video captured the U-Haul reversing toward security personnel at 10 p.m., leading officers to use their firearms as the vehicle ignored verbal commands.

The Coast Guard stated the truck acted erratically and ignored multiple orders to stop before officers discharged live rounds to defend themselves.

The truck had been parked near the base most of the day before the incident, and officials later examined it after the driver fled.

Two men arrived at local hospitals with gunshot wounds; one was Thompson, who was taken into custody after being treated.

The FBI said Thompson repeatedly reversed and then quickly accelerated toward Coast Guard members, who feared an imminent threat.

“Let this be clear: There is zero tolerance for assault on federal officers or property, and those who do so will face federal criminal charges.”

After the confrontation, the FBI stressed the seriousness of using a vehicle to attack officers doing their jobs.

Earlier that day, protests outside the base led to police action and two arrests, with demonstrators trying to block federal agents.

Coast Guard Island had been seen as a possible staging point for a delayed federal deployment to San Francisco.

Thompson has appeared in court and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Read the full report

Wyatt Matters

Americans want law and order, not chaos outside our military bases. This shows how vital it is to back up those who put themselves in danger to defend our communities and defend America’s borders.