Coast Guard Incident in Alameda, California
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that a Coast Guard officer fired at a rental truck driver during what appears to be a ramming incident at a Coast Guard base in Alameda, California, on Thursday night.
Protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement gathered outside the base after reports emerged that federal immigration agents were present at Coast Guard Island Alameda. Throughout the day, there were minor skirmishes between the anti-ICE activists and federal agents, leading to at least two arrests, which included a security guard for a news crew who was injured during the altercation.
“The actions of the vehicle posed a direct threat to the safety of the Coast Guard and security personnel,” officials stated.
Later that night, as the crowd began to disperse, a masked individual in a U-Haul was filmed repeatedly driving in the wrong direction towards the Coast Guard personnel. In footage captured by bystanders, a security guard can be heard pleading with the driver to stop. When the driver allegedly continued toward them, the Coast Guard opened fire.
“Despite multiple verbal commands to stop, the driver reversed rapidly towards the Coast Guard personnel, constituting a direct threat to their safety. As a result, law enforcement discharged several rounds of live ammunition in self-defense,” a statement from the DHS indicated.
“Fortunately, no Coast Guard personnel suffered injuries. However, two civilians were hurt and are expected to recover. The truck driver sustained abdominal injuries and is currently undergoing mental health evaluation. A bystander was struck by debris and received treatment at a local hospital before being released. The FBI is leading the investigation and is collaborating with local law enforcement authorities,” the DHS added.
Recently, anti-ICE activists have been utilizing vehicles to target Department of Homeland Security officers during operations against illegal immigration, with similar incidents reported in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
Carlitos Ricardo Parias was shot and killed after reportedly ramming his car into a federal agent’s vehicle. He had recently received a commendation from a Democratic Los Angeles City Council member for documenting ICE operations on social media, being referred to as a “fearless citizen journalist.”
