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Oakland U-Haul Driver Charged With Assaulting Coast Guard Personnel After Bridge Confrontation

An unsealed federal complaint describes video plus hospital evidence that prosecutors say tie Brendan Munro Thompson to the truck.

Overview

  • Thompson, 26, made an initial appearance Tuesday; a detention status and preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 10 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore.
  • The complaint alleges Thompson reversed a 10-foot U-Haul toward a line of U.S. Coast Guard personnel on Oct. 23 as they shouted commands to stop, prompting defensive gunfire.
  • Thompson drove away and later received treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, and officials say a bystander was also injured.
  • Investigators say surveillance and media footage, plus distinctive multicolor pants recovered at Highland Hospital, linked Thompson to the driver, followed by a psychiatric admission.
  • The confrontation occurred near Coast Guard Base Alameda during protests over a planned immigration enforcement surge that had been called off hours earlier, and the charge carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.