News Summary
An investigation is underway following a major incident at the US Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary event where a live artillery shell exploded prematurely, showering shrapnel on police vehicles. The incident, which resulted in damage to a patrol cruiser and a motorcycle, occurred during a demonstration at Camp Pendleton attended by Vice President JD Vance. Although there were no injuries reported, concerns about public safety have been raised, leading Governor Gavin Newsom to criticize the event as a recklessness of military demonstration over an active freeway.
Oceanside, California – An investigation is underway following a major incident during the US Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary event on Saturday afternoon, where a live artillery shell rained shrapnel on police vehicles parked nearby. The incident took place during a demonstration of the M777 Howitzer artillery at Camp Pendleton, attended by Vice President JD Vance, approximately 40 miles north of San Diego along Interstate 5.
The artillery demonstration involved the firing of 60 shells; however, one shell exploded prematurely, causing shrapnel damage to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) patrol cruiser and a motorcycle assigned to Vice President Vance’s security detail. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, though a 2-inch chunk of shrapnel dented the hood of a patrol car.
As a precaution, traffic was temporarily closed on a 17-mile stretch of the I-5 prior to the live-fire exercise, leading to significant traffic gridlock across Southern California. CHP’s border division chief, Tony Coronado, remarked that the situation was “unusual and concerning,” emphasizing that it is uncommon for live-fire exercises to occur over an active freeway. Governor Gavin Newsom labeled the incident as a “reckless” and “profoundly absurd show of force,” placing blame on the previous Trump administration.
The Marines had conducted a “test” firing of 30 artillery shells the day before the event, but it remains unclear if these shells were fired over the freeway. The White House indicated that the Marines had informed them prior to the demonstration that there were no public safety concerns. Nevertheless, Governor Newsom ordered the freeway closure due to potential public safety risks associated with the loud explosions which could distract drivers.
Participants in the event hailed it as the largest military exercise in the continental U.S. in a decade, showcasing various military assets. However, incidents like the artillery mishap have raised questions about the management of such large-scale displays. In his remarks during the ceremony, Vice President Vance criticized the government shutdown, Democratic leaders, and recent “woke” military initiatives, framing military training as essential for maintaining a robust armed forces.
Governor Newsom responded to the criticism from Vance and suggested that both Trump and Vance placed lives at risk during the ceremony, referring to the event as a “vanity project” orchestrated by the White House. Following the premature explosion, the First Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is actively being conducted. CHP officers described hearing the sounds of shrapnel impacting their motorcycles and vehicles, prompting an increased safety response during the event.
The California Department of Transportation defended the closure of the freeway, citing the live ordnance firing directed by the White House. The incident has sparked controversy and raised concerns about public safety during such military demonstrations, particularly over heavily trafficked areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Governor Newsom Critiques Military Display at Marine Corps Event
Premature Artillery Shell Explosion Causes Traffic Chaos in Southern California
Live-Fire Military Exercise Accidentally Hits CHP Vehicle
Live-Fire Demonstration Raises Safety Concerns in San Diego
Marine Corps Investigates Live-Fire Incident Over Freeway
Officer Grace Del Bagno Named Coronado’s Employee of the Year
Leadership Transition at Coronado Police Department
A Heartfelt Tribute to Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram
Coronado Navy SEAL Remembered for Heroism: A Posthumous Honor
Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: United States Marine Corps
- Reuters
- Google Search: California traffic issues
- The Guardian
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Live-fire training
- ABC News
- Google News: California artillery incident
- Los Angeles Times
- Kyiv Post
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
