Two people were injured after Coast Guard police opened fire at a protest site outside a Coast Guard base in California on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Authorities say the officers discharged their weapons at a moving van that reversed aggressively toward the facility and failed to comply with repeated commands to stop.
What Happened at the Coast Guard Base?
The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. local time near the entrance of the Coast Guard base in Alameda, California, where a small group had gathered for a peaceful demonstration. According to the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement, the situation escalated when a white cargo van—unaffiliated with the protest organizers—suddenly reversed at high speed toward the security checkpoint.
“The vehicle accelerated in reverse despite clear verbal and visual commands to halt,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Maria Chen in a press briefing. “Officers discharged their service weapons to neutralize an imminent threat to personnel and infrastructure.”
Victims and Aftermath
Two individuals inside the van sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital. Their identities have not been released, and authorities have not confirmed whether they were connected to the demonstration. The driver remains in custody as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
The protest itself, organized by a local environmental coalition, had been permitted and remained calm before the incident. Organizers quickly condemned the van’s actions, calling it “a reckless act that endangered everyone present.”
Official Response and Public Reaction
The Coast Guard emphasized that its use of force followed strict protocols. Body camera footage and surveillance video are being reviewed as part of a standard use-of-force investigation. Civil rights advocates, however, have called for transparency and an independent review.
“Even if a vehicle poses a threat, we need full accountability,” said Alicia Ruiz of the Northern California ACLU. “The public deserves to see the evidence and understand exactly what transpired.”
Timeline of Events
| Time (PDT) | Event |
|---|---|
| 3:30 p.m. | Peaceful protest begins outside Coast Guard base |
| 4:10 p.m. | White cargo van arrives and parks near perimeter |
| 4:15 p.m. | Van reverses rapidly toward checkpoint; officers issue stop commands |
| 4:16 p.m. | Shots fired; van stops; two injured |
| 4:30 p.m. | Protest disperses; area secured |
Context: Rising Tensions at Federal Facilities
This incident comes amid heightened security concerns at U.S. federal installations following a series of vehicle-ramming attempts nationwide in 2024 and 2025. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly warned about the use of vehicles as potential weapons in civil unrest scenarios.
While this event appears isolated, it underscores the delicate balance between public assembly rights and facility security—especially at sensitive military and maritime locations like Coast Guard bases.
