Shrapnel Hits CHP Vehicle During Controversial Drills

UPDATE Oct 20, 2025 1:00 AM CDT

Metal shrapnel from an exploding artillery shell fell hit and damaged a California Highway Patrol vehicle as personnel at a US Marine Corps base fired live rounds over a highway—against the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom—during weekend exercises observed by Vice President JD Vance, the AP reports. The incident occurred when ordnance detonated overhead prematurely during Saturday's exercise at Camp Pendleton, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release. The incident occurred in an area where officers had shut down traffic. A Marine Corps spokesperson said the service was aware of "a possible airborne detonation" of a 155 mm artillery round outside the exercise's designated impact area. "Following established safety protocols, firing was suspended. No injuries occurred and the demonstration concluded as scheduled," he said in a statement. An investigation has been initiated.

Oct 18, 2025 4:50 PM CDT

Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth watched a military showcase at Camp Pendleton on Saturday after a clash between Trump administration and California officials over a plan to send live artillery shells over a heavily traveled freeway. "The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety," Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn't just wrong—it's dangerous." Vance and Marine officials at Pendleton said there was nothing unsafe about the artillery exercise, the AP reports.

The Marines maintained there was no need to disrupt traffic on Interstate 5, which is the main highway along the Pacific coast between San Diego and Los Angeles. The state nevertheless closed a 17-mile stretch in the morning, then reopened it about noon, per the Los Angeles Times. The Highway Patrol planned to enforce a traffic break later in the afternoon when the ammunition is fired. "It's not like they're going to get hit by explosives or anything like that, it's just loud booms, and it may frighten" drivers when the rounds go off, said John McKean of the Oceanside police.

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The event in northern San Diego County was a celebration of the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary that included a show of amphibious vehicles and aircraft demonstrating a beach assault, per the AP. The decision to shut the freeway, which was causing major delays for drivers, was made after practice firings over I-5 on Friday evening and a request from event organizers for signage along the road stating "Overhead fire in progress."