On October 23, a tense situation unfolded on the bridge to Coast Guard Island in Oakland when 26-year-old Brendan Munro Thompson, also known as Bella Thompson and Bella Castillo, allegedly used a U-Haul truck to accelerate towards United States Coast Guard personnel. The incident occurred amidst ongoing demonstrations against potential immigration law enforcement deployments by the Department of Homeland Security in San Francisco. In a complaint filed and unsealed this week, Thompson is being charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Thompson reportedly backed the 10-foot-long truck across the bridge, brought it to a stop, then proceeded to accelerate backward toward the line of Coast Guard officers quickly. According to court documents, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this act led officers to fearfully back away and for them to have to react rapidly, concern mounting that the truck might strike them or potentially be rigged with explosives. The USCG personnel discharged their firearms at the vehicle when verbal commands to stop were ignored, resulting in Thompson sustaining a non-life-threatening gunshot injury before fleeing the scene.
During the alleged attack, the proximity of the accelerating truck came within 15 to 20 feet of USCG personnel, the complaint states. "Let this be clear: there is zero tolerance for assault on federal officers or property, and those who do so will face federal criminal charges," United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian made his stance known, highlighting the gravity of the charges Thompson now faces. Similarly, firm lines were drawn by FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo, who said, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, "Attempting to use a truck to assault federal officers performing their lawful duties is not protest, it is a violent and serious federal crime."
Thompson appeared in a federal district court early this week and is slated to next appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore for a detention status and preliminary hearing on November 10. While a criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and Thompson is presumed innocent until proven guilty, a conviction could potentially result in up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The prosecution of the case is to duly follow the investigative efforts of the FBI and is being led by the Oakland Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
