Shrapnel fragments from an explosive ordnance damaged a California Highway Patrol Vehicle serving as part of Vice President J.D. Vance’s protective detail during a live-fire training demonstration celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary in California on Saturday.
In a Sunday press release, the California Highway Patrol confirmed that metal shrapnel from an explosive ordnance fired over California’s Interstate 5 freeway “detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging” a patrol vehicle.
“The incident happened in the area where CHP officers were supporting a traffic break along I-5 near Camp Pendleton during an exceptional U.S. Marine Corps live-fire training demonstration over the freeway, and where the CHP had elected to stop traffic during the live-fire exercise,” the California Highway Patrol stated.
Sunday’s press release explained that no injuries were reported from the incident and that the Marine Corps canceled the firing of additional live explosives over the interstate following the incident.
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“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” California Highway Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”
The New York Times reported that the shrapnel was from a 155 mm round that was fired at 1:46 p.m. on Saturday. The outlet noted that the shrapnel fragments were quickly cleared and the road was reopened a little over 30 minutes following the incident.
Sharing a picture of one of the ammunition rounds, the press office of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) tweeted, “The shrapnel that hit CHP vehicles over the weekend from Trump and Vance’s military live-munitions demonstration came from this ordnance. It’s no small thing. This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway. Thankfully, the Governor closed it.”
In a statement to Fox News, the I Marine Expeditionary Force Communication Strategy and Operations team said, “We are aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery round outside the designated impact area during the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, CA, Oct. 18.”
“The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens,” the team added. “Following established safety protocols, firing was suspended. No injuries occurred, and the demonstration concluded as scheduled.”