This is an utter disgrace. Investigators were quick to get on the scene.
Because an artillery shell exploded over J.D. Vance’s protective detail.
Artillery Mishap During Vice Presidential Visit
During a weekend trip by Vice President J.D. Vance to a Marine Corps installation near San Diego, fragments from an early-detonating artillery shell hit a squad car and a motorcycle assigned to his security team, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The event unfolded on Saturday at Camp Pendleton, roughly 40 miles north of San Diego, where a 155mm M-777 howitzer was discharged in a ceremonial display honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
A California Highway Patrol document reveals that the Marines intended to launch at least 60 rounds amid Mr. Vance’s appearance, who is himself a former Marine with service in Iraq.
The shell was launched at 1:46 p.m. from White’s Beach, located about three-quarters of a mile south of Las Pulgas Road, the spot where the CHP vehicles were stationed after accompanying Mr. Vance onto the base.
In preparation, California Governor Gavin Newsom directed the shutdown of a 17-mile segment of a nearby highway.
This also caused delays in passenger train operations along a parallel route.
Escalating Political Dispute
The highway closure sparked a short-lived online clash between officials in Sacramento and Washington.
“Not only did nobody at the White House or the Marines ask him to do so, the Marines repeatedly said there are no public safety concerns with today’s exercises,” according to a statement on X from the White House rapid response team that referred to the governor as “Newscum.”
“Newscum lies and tries to make it about himself – day ending in ‘Y’,” Trump administration officials said.
California authorities countered by claiming the Trump team had downplayed the risks of firing live ammunition over the bustling Interstate 5 to local residents.
“Then you accused the governor of overreacting when he closed a portion of the freeway to protect the public,” Mr. Newsom’s press office said. “Now we learn that live [ordnance] detonated early, striking a vehicle on a closed portion of the highway during the event.”
Ongoing Probe and Safety Recommendations
The Marine Corps has launched a standard inquiry into the mishap, typical for any artillery malfunction or deviation from the designated landing zone in U.S. military operations.
Distinct from a standard bullet, a howitzer projectile typically includes separate components like the propellant, primer, casing, and fuse. Based on the objective, the fuse might trigger on contact, via proximity sensors, or at a preset time post-launch.
A faulty or misconfigured timed fuse could lead to an unexpected mid-air explosion.
CHP personnel halted traffic on Interstate 5 just prior to the planned shelling. Officials noted in a report acquired by The Washington Times that the initial—and evidently only—round went off at 1:46 p.m.
“At this time, an artillery round failed to clear the roadway and detonated mid-flight near Interstate 5 southbound. After the failed round, the exercise was terminated and no additional munitions were fired,” California Highway Patrol officials said in their report.
An officer in the security group described hearing noises akin to pebbles raining down on his motorcycle. Fragments resembling shrapnel were discovered, causing a minor indentation on a patrol vehicle’s hood.
A subsequent check of southbound Interstate 5 yielded no further debris, per the CHP.
While no one was hurt, state officers promptly alerted the Marines, leading to the halt of further firing.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation. It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway,” California Highway Patrol border division chief Tony Coronado said in a statement.
“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,” he said.
The CHP is advocating for an examination of the inter-agency planning, dialogue, and collaboration that occurred on Saturday among federal, state, and local entities.
