The federal government had chastised the state of California for closing a major highway during the demonstration, calling it an unnecessary political stunt.
Metal shrapnel from an artillery live fire at the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday damaged a California Highway Patrol (CHP) car near a major highway, the patrol said on Oct. 20.
The incident happened along Interstate 5 close to Camp Pendleton in San Diego County as Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were at the base to celebrate the Marines’ 250th birthday coming up on Nov. 10.
CHP said an explosive shell fired over the Interstate 5 freeway detonated “prematurely” and struck a patrol vehicle, damaging it with metal shrapnel.
The incident occurred in an area where officers were enforcing a traffic stop along the highway near the base after the state government opted to halt traffic during the live-fire demonstration.
No injuries were reported, the CHP said.
CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said, “This was an unusual and concerning situation.”
“It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them,” Coronado said in a statement.
The highway patrol said it immediately notified the Marine Corps on the scene, who then canceled firing additional rounds over the freeway while officers swept the area.
The CHP said it filed an internal report on the incident with a recommendation to conduct an additional “after-action review” into the planning and coordination between federal, state, and local governments around the incident to “strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training events near public roadways.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom opted to close portions of Interstate 5 on Saturday after he received word from the federal government that live artillery would be fired over the busy highway.
The Marines originally said on Oct. 15 that the Saturday live-fire would be associated with a training exercise at Camp Pendleton.
“All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed,” the Marines said in a statement.
By Jacob Burg
