Additional Coverage:
- Marine Corps shrapnel hit patrol car on California freeway during demonstration: CHP (abcnews.go.com)
Shrapnel Strikes CHP Vehicle During Marine Corps Celebration, Sparks Outcry
San Diego County, CA – A live-fire artillery demonstration by the U.S. Marine Corps, intended to celebrate their 250th anniversary in the presence of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, took an unexpected turn Saturday when prematurely detonating shrapnel struck a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle. The incident occurred near Camp Pendleton, where artillery rounds were fired over Interstate 5, leading to significant freeway closures and public safety concerns.
The military demonstration coincided with “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration across Southern California.
Initially, military officials had assured the public that no freeways or roads would be impacted and that all activities would be confined to Camp Pendleton’s training fields. However, on Saturday morning, the federal government requested the state implement electronic highway signs warning drivers of “LIVE WEAPONS OVER FREEWAY.” This led to a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5, a critical artery connecting Los Angeles and San Diego used by over 80,000 people daily, being shut down by CHP.
Despite earlier assurances, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed that they were notified Saturday morning by the federal government about the military’s plan to fire live artillery over the heavily traveled freeway.
Drivers in Southern California experienced hours of gridlock and lengthy detours due to the closure. During this time, shrapnel from the artillery rounds reportedly rained down within the closure zone.
A CHP police report detailed that a patrol SUV sustained a dent from a “two-inch by half-inch piece of shrapnel” found on its hood. Additionally, an officer reported hearing “pebbles” striking his CHP BMW motorcycle.
Upon being alerted to the shrapnel falling on the freeway, the Marine Corps immediately ceased firing additional live ordnance over the interstate. A subsequent safety sweep of the freeway found no further shrapnel.
Camp Pendleton officials have initiated an investigation into the incident, stating to Fox News Digital that “The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens.”
In response to the incident, Governor Newsom took to X on Sunday, stating, “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.”
The California Highway Patrol has announced it will request an after-action review with the federal government to discuss public safety protocols moving forward.