Residents from Novato to San Rafael, from the houseboats of Sausalito to the quiet neighborhoods of Corte Madera and Mill Valley, have been on alert after a tense incident near U.S. Coast Guard housing in Novato on November 28, 2025.
What started as a trespassing call quickly turned into a foot chase, some reported gunfire, and a big police search that echoed across northern Marin County. Here’s what’s known so far, plus how neighbors throughout Marin—from Fairfax to Larkspur and San Anselmo—can help.
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What Happened Near Novato’s Coast Guard Housing?
On the evening of November 28, just after dark, Novato Police Department officers responded to reports of a trespasser near U.S. Coast Guard housing on South Oakwood Drive in Novato.
This usually quiet spot in north Marin, not far from family neighborhoods and commuter routes, suddenly saw a flurry of law enforcement activity.
Police say that around 6:30 p.m., armed security guards at the Coast Guard housing tried to detain a man reportedly trespassing on the property.
The suspect bolted instead, sparking a chase through the area and toward Crescent Drive.
Reported Gunshots Near Crescent Drive Sports Courts
During the pursuit, security guards reported hearing what sounded like gunshots near the sports courts on Crescent Drive. Authorities haven’t confirmed if a gun was actually fired—just that the guards heard noises they thought could be gunfire.
The chase ended up being called off for safety, and the suspect managed to slip away. One guard fell during the chase and got minor injuries but didn’t need to go to the hospital.
Intensive Search by Novato Police and K-9 Unit
After the reported gunfire, Novato police took the situation seriously. Officers, with help from a canine trained to detect firearms, searched the Coast Guard housing complex and nearby neighborhoods.
People living near South Oakwood Drive and Crescent Drive noticed a strong police presence as officers walked through yards and common areas. Marin law enforcement tends to respond this way, whether it’s in Novato, Mill Valley, or San Rafael.
No Suspect or Firearm Located So Far
Despite a careful sweep, officers didn’t find the suspect or any firearm. That leaves some big questions—were shots actually fired, or did something else make those noises?
Investigators are still working as if a firearm might have been involved, and they’re following up on leads from Novato and the wider Marin community.
How Marin Residents Can Help the Investigation
Police want help from residents not just in Novato but across Marin—from Terra Linda and Lucas Valley in San Rafael to Hamilton, Ignacio, and downtown Novato. They’re asking people to check home security systems and dash cameras.
Even a short clip from a doorbell camera in a quiet cul-de-sac—like one in Larkspur or Tiburon—could be important.
Check Your Cameras and Share What You Know
Authorities especially want folks near the U.S. Coast Guard housing area and along South Oakwood Drive and Crescent Drive to review video from the night of November 28, 2025. But honestly, anyone in central Novato or along routes connecting to other Marin cities should take a look too.
If you see anything odd—someone you don’t recognize running, a car stopping for no clear reason, or unusual activity near your place—police want to hear about it. The Novato Police Department set up a dedicated tip line:
Call if you have information that could help ID the suspect, confirm if a firearm was present, or clarify what happened. Even small details might help detectives piece together what went down.
Community Safety and Situational Awareness in Marin
Incidents like this remind us that even in pretty quiet Marin communities—from the family neighborhoods of Novato to the leafy streets of San Anselmo and the waterfront corners of Belvedere—situational awareness matters.
There’s no shelter-in-place order or specific threat right now, but law enforcement encourages everyone to stay alert. That means:
In Marin, where people really value their sense of safety—from the trails near Fairfax to the shopping spots in Corte Madera—community cooperation is key. Neighbors talking to neighbors, and residents reaching out to police, can genuinely make a difference in cases like this.
Looking Ahead: An Active, Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the November 28 incident near U.S. Coast Guard housing in Novato is still underway. Detectives keep chasing new leads and are digging through any submitted footage.
They’re also going over reports from the night of the event. Honestly, it’s a lot to sift through, and you can sense the urgency.
We’ll keep updating readers across Marin as soon as we learn more. Whether you’re in downtown San Rafael, tucked up in Mill Valley, or living on a quiet Novato street, this matters to all of us.
Authorities are urging everyone: stay alert, check your cameras, and if you have any info, call 415-897-1122. In a place as tightly knit as Marin, sometimes it really does take just one person stepping up to help crack a case.
Here is the source article for this story: Shooting reported near US Coast Guard housing in Novato; suspect sought
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