‘Several rounds of live fire’: Protesters use U-Haul to threaten Coast Guard base, trigger gunfire response
Truck ‘reversed’ suddenly to drive toward officers
Authorities were forced to open fire on a U-Haul truck whose driver was backing toward officers at the Alameda, Calif., U.S. Coast Guard base where protesters had been opposing President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal aliens.
Eyewitnesses charged that the driver, who had been loitering for some time, abruptly accelerated toward police, prompting them to respond with shots.
A Fox News report said the driver had been ordered to stop, but refused to follow directions.
“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,” a statement from the agency said.
The Coast Guard said there appeared to be no injuries to personnel.
The driver fled after the shooting, authorities reported, and later, two men arrived at local hospitals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
Protesters had been at the entrance to the base, trying to block U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from entering the base.
