Suspect charged after allegedly reversing U-Haul truck toward Coast Guard officials in Alameda
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- New court documents describe the moments the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Bella Thompson, is alleged to have assaulted federal officers in Alameda with a deadly weapon.
Surveillance video obtained by ABC7 News shows the moments after Thompson accelerated toward U.S. Coast Guard officials with a U-Haul truck.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident took place after hours of protests at night almost two weeks ago.
The paperwork describes how Thompson first backed the truck onto the bridge from Alameda leading to Coast Guard Island, and then reversed rapidly towards Coast Guard personnel who opened fire.
VIDEO: 2 injured after shots fired at U-Haul truck backing into US Coast Guard base in Alameda
"What the justice department is saying is that even though these officers weren't struck by the vehicle, they were in reasonable fear for their safety and they had no duty to back down," said Steven Clark, a Bay Area-based legal analyst.
Clark says it's possible more charges could be filed against Thompson as authorities continue their investigation, including some form of domestic terrorism.
MORE: Federal agent operations canceled in the Bay Area amid ongoing protests
"Were they trying to kill the officer? Were they making the point to inflict terrorism on the United States of America for a political reason? Or was this merely a protester who had gone awry," said Clark.
If convicted on current charges, Thompson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
But with several factors, including those like mental health all coming into consideration, Clark says it could take time for the process to play out.
"The big question will be will a Bay Area jury convict this protester of assault with a deadly weapon against federal officers? Or will they consider it more like trespassing?" said Clark.
Thompson will next appear in a federal district court on Nov. 10.
