"California lawmakers are demanding answers after a live fire demonstration over Camp Pendleton Saturday led to a misfire that rained shrapnel on Interstate 5, striking two California Highway Patrol vehicles. An artillery shell exploded over the freeway during a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, attended by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Pieces of shrapnel scattered on the closed roadway and struck a patrol vehicle and motorcycle."
"I'm led to believe the decision-making did not put public safety first. That's why we're calling for a full investigation. On Wednesday Levin sent a letter signed by 26 California Congress members and the state's two senators to Hegseth, asking who decided to shoot live artillery over the freeway, and how authorities planned for the safety risks. While we are relieved no one was injured, we are deeply concerned by the decision-making that led to this incident, Levin wrote."
A live artillery shell from Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated over Interstate 5 during a 250th Marine Corps celebration attended by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Shrapnel rained onto the closed freeway, striking a California Highway Patrol car and a motorcycle; no injuries were reported. Representative Mike Levin and 26 House members, joined by two senators, demanded a full investigation and asked who authorized firing over the freeway and how safety risks were assessed. The mishap intensified tensions between California leaders and the Trump administration and drew criticism over public safety and the display's optics.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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