Vehicle Hit With Artillery Shrapnel During Marine Ceremony: California Highway Patrol

The federal government had chastised the state of California for closing a major highway during the demonstration, calling it an unnecessary political stunt.

Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks as part of the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Oct. 18, 2025. Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images

Metal shrapnel from an artillery live fire at the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday damaged a California Highway Patrol (CHP) car near a major highway, the patrol said on Oct. 20.

The incident happened along Interstate 5 close to Camp Pendleton in San Diego County as Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were at the base to celebrate the Marines’ 250th birthday coming up on Nov. 10.