Shrapnel from the 250th anniversary celebration for the U.S. Marine Corps on Saturday struck and damaged a law enforcement officer’s vehicle along a major California highway.
An artillery round fired from one of the weapons used in the “Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength” celebration prematurely exploded in the air over Interstate 5 freeway, read a press release from the CHP. The shrapnel hit the patrol vehicle at 1:45 p.m. local time, “where the CHP had elected to stop traffic during the live-fire exercise,” resulting in a dent and scratch on the highway patrol car’s hood, according to reports. The celebration occurred at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California.
Debris from a Camp Pendleton training round detonated midair over I-5, striking a CHP patrol car assisting with a traffic break. No injuries. CHP is recommending an after-action review to enhance coordination.
NEWS RELEASE HERE
https://t.co/xnoKm3qLp2#CHP #newsrelease pic.twitter.com/eN0wMA46w3
— CHP Border Division (@CHP_Border) October 20, 2025
CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said the incident was a rarity.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said Coronado. “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.”
No injuries were reported from the debris, and the only known damage from the falling shrapnel was the CHP car. Officers notified the USMC, who were on assignment at the location of the incident, and “then canceled firing additional live ordnance over the freeway, and the area was swept for further evaluation,” said the CHP.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) criticized Vice President JD Vance and the Trump administration over the incident in a social media post on Sunday. Vance, a former Marine, was the keynote speaker for the USMNC celebration event.
“We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects,” Newsom posted.
His comments echo remarks he made last week when he called the celebration a “vanity parade,” and rebuked the Trump administration for supposed plans to close the interstate due to the festivities.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” Newsom posted on Oct. 15.
“PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD,” he added.
MARINE CORPS REJECTS NEWSOM’S CLAIM OF FREEWAY CLOSURES DURING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The CHP said it was evaluating and filing an internal report on the incident. It added that it would offer a “recommendation to conduct an additional after-action review into the planning, communication, and coordination between federal, state, and local government” to ensure necessary steps would be implemented to “strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training events near public roadways.”
