Close Call: Shrapnel From Military Live-Fire Event Hits Patrol Car Protecting Vice President JD Vance

Thank goodness, Vice President JD Vance was unharmed.

California’s Highway Patrol has revealed a law enforcement squad car that was used to protect Vice President JD Vance during a military live-fire event was hit with shrapnel on Saturday.

Vance was at the event to watch some of the live-fire training exercises and also gave a speech at the event.

Authorities reported there were no injuries and the shrapnel just caused damage to the patrol vehicle.

CBS News provided further details on the incident:

California Highway Patrol officials say that a patrol vehicle was struck by shrapnel from an artillery round that was fired during Saturday’s live-fire event at Camp Pendleton to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.

The metal shrapnel came from an “explosive ordnance fired over the Interstate 5 freeway” that had “detonated overhead prematurely,” CHP said in a news release. The falling piece of shrapnel damaged the patrol vehicle just after 1:45 p.m., CHP said. They said that it left a dent and a scratch on the hood of the car.

“The incident happened in an area where CHP officers were supporting a traffic break along I-5 near Camp Pendleton during an exceptional 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,” said CHP’s release.

No injuries were reported, and CHP officers informed USMC personnel at the scene, who canceled any additional firing of live ordnance over the freeway. The surrounding area was also swept by law enforcement.

Axios provided further context on the close call and shared what Governor Gavin Newsom’s response was to the incident:

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 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.”

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, California, on Saturday as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images

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.”

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.

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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.

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