A U.S. Marine Corps artillery round prematurely detonated over Interstate 5 on Saturday sending metal shrapnel onto a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle during a live-fire training demonstration, according to an internal report released Sunday by the agency. No injuries were reported.
The exercise took place over a section of I-5 near Camp Pendleton, which had been closed to traffic at the direction of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor had previously voiced concerns about the safety of firing artillery shells over a freeway used daily by tens of thousands of motorists.
CHP officers were on the scene supporting a traffic break when the round detonated. “This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tony 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.”
According to the report, officers immediately notified the Marine Corps, prompting the cancellation of additional live ordnance over the freeway. The area was then checked for debris and evaluated to ensure public safety.
Governor Newsom commented on the incident via X: “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.”
The CHP report recommends an after-action review to examine planning, communication, and coordination between federal, state, and local agencies for live-fire exercises near public roadways. The agency emphasized that its mission is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to Californians.
The Marine Corps said the training followed established safety protocols, but the CHP report noted that conducting live-fire exercises directly over an active public freeway is highly uncommon.
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