California Highway Patrol officials say a patrol car was hit by shrapnel from an artillery shell fired during the day on Saturday. Live ammunition incident at Camp Pendleton to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps.
The metal fragments came from “an explosive munition fired on Highway 5” that “exploded prematurely overhead,” the CHP said in a press release. The CHP said falling shrapnel destroyed the patrol car just after 1:45 p.m. They said it left a dent and scratch on the hood of the car.
California Highway Patrol
“The incident occurred in an area where CHP officers were supporting a traffic stop along I-5 near Camp Pendleton during an exceptional USMC live-fire training demonstration on the highway, and where the CHP elected to conduct a traffic stop during the live-fire training demonstration,” a CHP statement said.
No injuries were reported, and CHP officers notified US Marines at the scene, who canceled any additional firing of live munitions onto the highway. The surrounding area was also swept by law enforcement.
California Highway Patrol 
“This was an unusual and troubling situation,” said a statement from CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. “It is highly unusual for any training activity with live fire or explosives to occur on an active highway. As a Marine, I have great respect for our military partners, but my first responsibility is to ensure the safety of Californians and the officers who protect them.”
One of the officers who was at the scene when the shrapnel fell described the sound as “gravel falling on his CHP BMW motorcycle,” according to an incident report filed Saturday.
CHP officers submitted an internal report on the incident and recommended an additional after-action review to further strengthen protocols and communication between the federal, state and local governments for any future demonstrations or training near public roads.
A Marine Corps spokesperson told CBS News that the incident is under investigation.
A US Marine Corps statement read in part: “We are aware of the report of a 155 mm artillery shell potentially detonating from the air outside the designated area of impact during the US Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, California, on October 18.” “The demonstration underwent a rigorous safety assessment, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of citizens. In accordance with established safety protocols, shooting was suspended. There were no injuries and the demonstration ended as scheduled. An investigation has begun. We are committed to determining the root cause of the incident and applying the findings to future missions.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the incident on social media.
“We love our Marines and are grateful to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the vice president and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives because of their vanity projects,” Newsom said. Share on X.
Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images 
The event caused some controversy in Southern California as the busy stretch of highway between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road was closed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The decision was not announced until Saturday morning, though. Speculation earlier in the week Which drew criticism from Newsom.
The celebration brought 15,000 military personnel and veterans together, including Vice President J.D. Vance, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the sprawling military base that stretches from southern San Diego County to Orange County.