Shrapnel from artillery, detonated during a US Marine Corps anniversary celebration in California, struck at least two vehicles on Saturday. The incident occurred during an event marking the Marines’ 250th birthday, which was attended by Vice President JD Vance and featured live munitions. The California Highway Patrol reported that one artillery round detonated prematurely overhead, impacting two vehicles designated for Vance’s security detail.
This event took place as state officials and the White House were engaged in a disagreement regarding the closure of a portion of Interstate 5 for the festivities in Southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision to fire live rounds over a busy highway, deeming it dangerous.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Following the incident, the Highway Patrol notified the Marine Corps, which subsequently canceled any further firing of munitions. Border Division Chief Tony Coronado noted that the situation was unusual and concerning, as such exercises are not typically conducted over active freeways.
Governor Newsom had previously ordered the closure of a section of Interstate 5, citing extreme life safety risks and the potential for driver distraction due to sudden, loud explosions. However, before the shrapnel incident was reported, the Vice President’s office had publicly challenged the safety of the demonstration, accusing the California governor of attempting to incite fear.
In response to the mishap, Newsom stated that Donald Trump and JD Vance had endangered lives for the sake of a spectacle. He suggested that their commitment to honoring troops should translate into efforts to reopen the federal government, which had faced a funding lapse earlier in October.
The First Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton confirmed awareness of the incident involving a 155-millimeter shell and stated that an investigation is underway. They emphasized that the demonstration had undergone a thorough safety evaluation and included redundant safety measures to protect the public.
California Highway Patrol officers documented in a police report that the two affected vehicles, part of Vance’s security detail, were positioned to monitor the freeway and maintain its closure during the event. Officers observed the artillery round failing to clear the highway, resulting in an explosion near the southbound lanes. One officer described the shrapnel impact as sounding like pebbles raining down on his motorcycle, with pieces found that had dented a patrol car’s hood.
The Marine Corps described the demonstration as the largest of its kind in the continental United States in a decade, involving fighter jets, Navy vessels, helicopters, and live fire from a towed howitzer. Vice President Vance, addressing the assembled Marines, reflected on his own service, criticized the government shutdown, and spoke against previous military diversity initiatives, asserting the importance of shared purpose and the Marine Corps’ spirit.
One of the key focuses of the Trump administration has been the reduction of diversity initiatives, particularly within the Pentagon. Vance also used his platform to condemn the ongoing government shutdown, placing blame on Democrats, specifically Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.