Marine Corps live-fire training causes shrapnel incident at Camp Pendleton
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A law enforcement vehicle in California was struck by metal shrapnel from prematurely detonated “explosive ordnance” on Saturday during an event attended by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the incident in a press release shared with Fox News Digital. The incident took place near Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps base in San Diego County.
The shrapnel was fired while CHP officers were supporting a traffic stop along I-5 on the same day Vance visited Camp Pendleton to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
It is not known exactly when the incident occurred on Saturday. The CHP said the incident occurred “during an extraordinary live-fire training demonstration by U.S. Marines on the highway, where the CHP chose to stop traffic during a live-fire exercise.”
NEWSOM CONFLICTS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE OVER MARINE CORPS’ ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HIGHWAY CLOSURE
Metal shrapnel from the Marine Corps’ live-fire training hit a California Highway Patrol vehicle on Saturday. (California Highway Patrol)
No injuries were reported. CHP officers alerted the Marines, who then “aborted the discharge of additional live ammunition on the highway,” according to the agency.
CHP Border Branch Manager Tony Coronado described the incident as “an unusual and alarming situation” in his statement.
“It is extremely rare for any live fire or explosive training activity to occur on an active highway,” Coronado said.
“As a Marine, I have great respect for our military partners, but my most important responsibility is to ensure the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”
VP VANCE’S CAMP BLAMES THE CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION. GAVIN NEWSOM SPREADS ‘FAKE NEWS’ AHEAD OF MARINE CELEBRATION
Vice President J.D. Vance speaks during the 250th anniversary celebration of the Marine Corps on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Camp Pendleton, California. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
“CHP submitted an internal report on the incident, recommending an additional after-action review of the planning, communication and coordination between federal, state and local government regarding the incident on Saturday, October 18, in order to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and educational events near public roadways,” the statement said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in an X-related post that President Donald Trump and Vance “risked lives to demonstrate.”
“If you want to honor our troops, open the government and pay them,” Newsom said.
Vice President J.D. Vance boards Air Force Two at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, on October 19, 2025. (Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Vance’s office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Lee Ross contributed to this report.
