California Freeway Patrol officers say {that a} patrol car was struck by shrapnel from an artillery spherical that was fired throughout Saturday’s live-fire event at Camp Pendleton to have fun the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.
The steel shrapnel got here from an “explosive ordnance fired over the Interstate 5 freeway” that had “detonated overhead prematurely,” CHP stated in a information launch. The falling piece of shrapnel broken the patrol car simply after 1:45 p.m., CHP stated.
California Freeway Patrol
“The incident occurred in an space the place CHP officers have been supporting a visitors break alongside I-5 close to Camp Pendleton throughout an distinctive U.S. Marine Corps live-fire coaching demonstration over the freeway, and the place the CHP had elected to cease visitors through the live-fire train,” stated CHP’s launch.
No accidents have been reported, and CHP officers knowledgeable USMC personnel on the scene, who canceled any extra firing of dwell ordnance over the freeway. The encircling space was additionally swept by regulation enforcement.
California Freeway Patrol
“This was an uncommon and regarding state of affairs,” stated a press release from CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. “It’s extremely unusual for any live-fire or explosive coaching exercise to happen over an energetic freeway. As a Marine myself, I’ve super respect for our navy companions, however my foremost accountability is making certain the security of the folks of California and the officers who shield them.”
CHP officers filed an inner report on the incident, recommending an extra after-action assessment to strengthen additional protocols and communication between federal, state and native authorities for any future demonstrations or coaching close to public roadways.
A spokesperson for the Marine Corps advised CBS Information that the incident was beneath investigation.
“We’re conscious of the report of a attainable airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery spherical exterior the designated influence space through the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, CA, Oct. 18,” stated a press release from USMC, partly. “The demonstration went via a rigorous security analysis, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to make sure the security of fellow residents. Following established security protocols, firing was suspended. No accidents occurred and the demonstration concluded as scheduled. An investigation has been initiated. We’re dedicated to figuring out the incident’s root trigger and making use of findings to future missions.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the incident on social media.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives in danger to placed on a present,” he wrote on X. “If you wish to honor our troops, open the federal government and pay them.”
Oliver Contreras/AFP through Getty Photographs
The occasion precipitated some controversy in Southern California because the closely traveled stretch of freeway was closed between Harbor Drive and Basilone Highway from 11 a.m. to three p.m. The choice was not introduced till Saturday morning, regardless of speculation earlier in the week that drew criticism from Newsom.
The celebration introduced 15,000 navy personnel and veterans collectively, together with Vice President JD Vance, a USMC veteran, and Secretary of Conflict Pete Hegseth on the sprawling navy base that spans from southern San Diego County to Orange County.