Police: Shrapnel hits California patrol car escorting Vance at military event
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A signs alerts drivers about the closure of the 5 Freeway on Saturday in San Clemente, California. Photo: Apu Gomes/Getty Images
Part of the law enforcement squad protecting Vice President JD Vance was accidentally hit by an artillery shell during a military display marking the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, police said Sunday.
The big picture: The California Highway Patrol said no one was injured in Saturday's incident, which occurred during a live-fire military demonstration at the base, on the edge of San Diego County. A CHP vehicle was damaged. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said the White House had been "reckless."
Driving the news: The incident happened in the area where CHP officers were supporting a traffic break along I-5 near Camp Pendleton during a U.S. Marine Corps live-fire training demonstration over the freeway, and where the CHP had elected to stop traffic during the live-fire exercise, per a CHP statement.
- Metal shrapnel from explosive ordnance fired over the highway "detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging a CHP patrol vehicle," according to the CHP.
- "CHP personnel immediately notified the Marine Corps at the scene, who then canceled firing additional live ordnance over the freeway, and the area was swept for further evaluation."
State of play: Officials closed a 17-mile stretch of the highway for hours during Saturday's "Sea To Shore" amphibious assault demonstration, which halted train service.
- Explosions shook the beach and artillery shells were fired over I-5.
- The live-fire military demonstration at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, on the edge of San Diego County, occurred as "No Kings" protests were taking place in San Diego.
- About 35 demonstrators gathered outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, where Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and thousands of service members watched the military marking the 250th anniversary of the Marines and Navy.
- The White House filmed the event for a primetime TV special to air Nov. 9, per The San Diego Union-Tribune.
What they're saying: "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," said Newsom, who had voiced his objections to the military exercise ahead of the event, on X Sunday.
- CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said in a statement: "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."
- Representatives for the White House, Vance and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to Axios' Sunday evening request for comment.
