News Summary
A California Highway Patrol vehicle was hit by metal shrapnel during a Marine Corps live-fire training near Camp Pendleton. The incident coincided with the visit of high-ranking officials and resulted in the suspension of further live ordnance firing. No injuries were reported, but the CHP emphasized the unusual nature of the event, leading to an investigation and safety reviews. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision to conduct live-fire exercises over an active freeway, raising concerns about public safety during such events.
San Diego – A piece of metal shrapnel from an explosive ordnance struck a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle during a Marine Corps live-fire training demonstration on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The incident took place near Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps base located in San Diego County, and coincided with the visit of Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who were attending the event to commemorate the Marine Corps’ upcoming 250th anniversary on November 10.
The California Highway Patrol stated that this kind of incident is highly unusual, particularly because live-fire or explosive training activities generally do not occur over an active freeway. The explosive ordnance detonated prematurely while a traffic break was in effect along Interstate 5 (I-5), during which CHP officers had temporarily halted traffic for safety purposes. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported due to the incident.
Following the shrapnel incident, CHP officers promptly notified the Marine Corps, leading to the immediate cancellation of further live ordnance firing over the freeway to ensure public safety. CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado referred to the episode as an uncharacteristic and concerning occurrence. An internal report filed by the CHP recommended that future planning, communication, and coordination among federal, state, and local governments be reviewed to prevent similar incidents.
In response to the incident, the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) has launched an investigation. The focus of the investigation will be to determine whether a 155mm artillery round detonated in the air outside the designated impact area. The Marine Corps has indicated that their live-fire training underwent a thorough safety evaluation and that operations were suspended right after the incident.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed significant objections regarding the firing of munitions over the freeway, citing safety concerns. He ordered a temporary closure of a stretch of I-5 following the incident and criticized the administration for endangering lives during the event. Newsom described the actions of the vice president and the White House as reckless, emphasizing that such risks should not occur, especially during a commemorative event.
Reports indicate that an officer heard sounds resembling pebbles falling and later discovered a piece of shrapnel measuring approximately 1 inch by 0.5 inch near his motorcycle. A separate piece of shrapnel, measuring 2 inches by 0.5 inch, damaged the CHP vehicle, causing a small dent and scratch on the hood. After thoroughly searching the freeway, CHP officers determined that no additional metal debris was present and subsequently reopened the highway to traffic.
During the event, Vice President JD Vance highlighted his respect for the Marines while also stressing the paramount importance of safety measures during such training exercises. The situation serves as a reminder of the potential dangers involved in military operations, particularly when they occur in proximity to populated areas.
The Marine Corps and CHP are continuing to work collaboratively to ensure that safety protocols are evaluated and improved as necessary, with hopes of preventing any future incidents similar to this one.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: California Highway Patrol
- ABC News
- Google Search: Marine Corps live-fire training
- The Hill
- Google Scholar: Military training safety
- AP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Military training protocols
- BBC News
- Google News: Marines live-fire training incident
- NBC News
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.
