A California Highway Patrol vehicle along the I-5 freeway near Camp Pendleton was damaged by debris on Saturday, following the live fire demonstration at the base during an event celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, with Vice President JD Vance and other dignitaries in attendance.
The patrol vehicle was hit when a metal shrapnel from explosive ordnance fired over the freeway detonated overhead prematurely, according to a press release from CHP. The incident happened in the area where CHP officers were assisting with a traffic break along I-5 near Camp Pendleton as the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a live-fire training demonstration over the freeway.
No injuries were reported, according to authorities, and CHP officials immediately notified the Marine Corps at the scene, who then canceled firing additional live ordnance over the freeway. The area was swept for additional evaluation.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said. “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.”
To strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training events near public roadways, CHP said it filed an internal report on the incident, with a recommendation to conduct an additional after-action review into the planning, communication and coordination between federal, state and local government around Saturday’s even.
"We are aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery round outside the designated impact area during the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, CA, Oct. 18," A Marine Corps spokesperson said in a statement to CBS 8. "The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens. Following established safety protocols, firing was suspended. No injuries occurred and the demonstration concluded as scheduled. An investigation has been initiated. We are committed to determining the incident’s root cause and applying findings to future missions."
Governor Newsom issued a statement Sunday afternoon to the New York Times saying, "We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the vice president and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects."
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