A newly released report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has revealed additional details about a live-fire mishap involving a patrol vehicle near Camp Pendleton, which occurred during Vice President JD Vance’s attendance at the Marine Corps’ 25,000th anniversary celebration. The incident took place at approximately 1:46 p.m. when a 155 mm artillery round fired from White’s Beach — roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Las Pulgas Road — detonated midair over Interstate 5.
With the freeway closed to support the event, debris began falling from above, prompting CHP to carry out safety checks. According to the report, the detonation produced small pieces of metal debris that landed on the closed freeway. One piece of shrapnel struck the hood of a CHP patrol vehicle, causing a small dent and scratch. CHP Officers Felix and Vizcarra reported hearing what sounded like ‘pebbles falling’ as fragments landed around them.
No injuries were reported, but investigators recovered two pieces of shrapnel measuring approximately one to two inches long. At approximately 1:55 p.m., CHP Sgts. Maxson and Iniguez conducted safety sweeps of the north and southbound lanes but ‘found no additional shrapnel, debris, or hazards.’ The freeway has since been reopened, according to the report.
The Border Division has described the incident as ‘unusual and concerning,’ and urged a formal after-action review ‘to strengthen communication and coordination between federal, state, and local partners during future demonstrations or training events near public roadways.’ Camp Pendleton officials have announced they will conduct an investigation into what they called a ‘possible airborne detonation of a 155 mm artillery round outside the designated impact area.’