Artillery Shell Strikes CHP Vehicle on I-5 During Demo

URGENT UPDATE: An artillery shell detonated over California’s Interstate 5, striking a California Highway Patrol vehicle during a Marine Corps demonstration on October 20, 2025. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, but the incident has raised serious safety concerns among authorities, with damage confirmed to the CHP patrol car.

The live-fire event, part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, took a dangerous turn when the 155mm artillery round detonated prematurely mid-air. This alarming incident occurred as CHP officers were supporting a traffic break on the busy I-5 highway, leading to immediate calls for enhanced safety protocols.

California Governor Gavin Newsom had enacted a precautionary closure of the I-5 section ahead of the event. He expressed outrage over the incident, stating, “This could have killed someone.” In a sharp critique of federal oversight, Newsom accused the Trump administration of prioritizing ego over public safety. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong—it’s dangerous,” he emphasized.

In response to the incident, the Marine Corps has launched an investigation. Spokesperson Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis confirmed, “We are aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation… The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation.” Despite this, the failure of safety measures has prompted the CHP to recommend an internal review to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies.

This incident underscores the risks associated with military demonstrations in populated areas. The CHP has filed an internal report and is pushing for an after-action review to strengthen safety protocols for future events.

As investigations proceed, all scheduled live-fire demonstrations have been canceled, signaling a critical shift in military training operations. With public safety at stake, this developing story will be closely monitored. Stay tuned for updates as officials continue to assess the situation and its implications for future military activities in civilian environments.

For further details, follow the CHP Border Division’s updates and official statements.