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Marine Corps Artillery Demonstration Closes California Interstate, Damages Highway Patrol Vehicle
A live-ammunition demonstration by the U.S. Marines over Interstate 5 in Southern California resulted in a temporary highway closure on October 18, 2025, and led to an unexpected incident when shrapnel struck a California Highway Patrol vehicle.
The event, celebrating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, took place at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County with Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in attendance to witness what officials described as a “live-fire amphibious capabilities demonstration.”
The artillery demonstration required closing a section of I-5 from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road, with CalTrans issuing a notice about the “unscheduled closure” due to “live ammunition being discharged over the freeway.” The closure affected not only highway traffic but also passenger rail service on the adjacent line.
During the demonstration, an ordnance explosion occurred prematurely, sending metal shrapnel onto a CHP patrol vehicle assisting with traffic control. While no injuries were reported, the incident prompted immediate concern from state officials.
“It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said in a statement, calling it “an unusual and concerning situation.” Following the incident, Marines halted additional live-fire activities over the highway as the area underwent further evaluation.
The event sparked significant political tension between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration. Communication problems between federal and state authorities created public confusion regarding the highway closure plans.
According to Newsom’s office, Marines initially assured state officials that the exercise would be conducted on training ranges and wouldn’t require closing I-5. However, on the evening before the demonstration, state officials received notice requesting CalTrans signage warning of “Overhead fire in progress,” prompting safety concerns.
“The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” Newsom said in a statement. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.”
A spokesperson for Vice President Vance countered Newsom’s criticism, stating that “The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice” and accused the governor of opposing “training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world.”
San Diego County official Jim Desmond added to the controversy, claiming on social media that “The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing live rounds and training beneath I-5 for over 50 years — without closing the freeway.” Desmond accused Newsom of ordering the closure “to create chaos and score political points.”
The timing of the military demonstration coincided with the nationwide “No Kings” protests, adding another layer of complexity to the situation as some social media users expressed confusion about whether the traffic disruption stemmed from the Marine Corps event or from protest activities.
The Camp Pendleton exercise showcased amphibious vehicles and a simulated beach assault, highlighting Marine capabilities during their milestone anniversary celebration. However, the premature detonation and subsequent damage to law enforcement equipment raised questions about safety protocols for conducting live-fire exercises near critical infrastructure.
State and federal authorities have not yet announced whether any policy changes will result from this incident regarding future military demonstrations near public highways.
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13 Comments
The fact that the Marine Corps conducted a live-fire exercise directly over a major interstate highway is quite shocking. While I understand the desire to showcase their capabilities, the safety of civilian road users should be the top priority. This incident raises serious questions about the planning and risk assessment for this event.
A live-fire military demonstration over a busy interstate highway seems extremely risky, even for a special occasion like the Marine Corps anniversary. I hope the authorities thoroughly investigate this incident to understand what went wrong and prevent future accidents.
This is a concerning incident. Firing live ammunition over a California freeway, even for a military demonstration, seems like an incredibly dangerous and reckless decision. I hope the authorities investigate this thoroughly to understand what went wrong and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Interesting, it seems the Marines were demonstrating their firepower capabilities with live ammunition over a California freeway. I wonder what led to the White House-Newsom dispute that prompted this display?
Yes, the premature detonation and damaged patrol vehicle is concerning. Safety should be the top priority for these types of live-fire exercises.
While I understand the desire to showcase military capabilities, conducting a live-fire exercise directly over a busy interstate highway seems extremely risky and ill-advised. The fact that shrapnel struck a patrol vehicle is deeply troubling. Safety should be the top priority for these types of demonstrations.
Absolutely. The safety of the public and law enforcement should be the paramount concern. This incident raises serious questions about the planning and risk assessment for this event.
This is a rather unusual story. I wonder what the specific reasoning was behind holding a live-fire demonstration directly over a highway. Safety should be the top priority in these types of military exercises.
Concerning to hear about the live ammunition being fired over a California freeway, leading to a highway closure and an incident where a patrol vehicle was damaged by shrapnel. Safety protocols for these types of military demonstrations need to be airtight.
Wow, closing down a major interstate highway for a military live-fire demo seems like an extreme measure, even for a special occasion like the Marine Corps anniversary. I hope they took all necessary precautions to protect civilian traffic and infrastructure.
Indeed, the fact that shrapnel struck a patrol vehicle is quite troubling. Hopefully they review their safety protocols to prevent any similar incidents in the future.
Holding a live-fire military demonstration over a busy freeway seems like an extremely risky decision, even for a special occasion like the Marine Corps anniversary. I hope a thorough investigation is conducted to understand what went wrong and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Agreed. The safety of the public should be the top concern for these types of exercises. Hopefully they can learn from this experience and improve their safety protocols going forward.