Marine Corps Investigation: Rare Artillery Shell Explosion Near Camp Pendleton

0:00On this March 17th, here's what's shaping the world. A Marine Corps investigation revealed a rare malfunction during a live fire demonstration near Camp Pendleton last October caused an artillery shell. To explode over Interstate 5 and scatter shrapnel onto the highway, the incident struck two California highway patrol vehicles, including a patrol car and a motorcycle from Vice President JD Vance's motorcade. No one was injured, and the event marked the Marine Corps's 250th anniversary. The demonstration involved firing rounds from howitzers on a beach across the freeway, with Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in attendance. Officials had closed a 17-mile stretch of the busy route between Los Angeles and San Diego as a precaution. The first round went off at 146 pm, but failed mid-flight, prompting an immediate halt to the exercise. Governor Gavin Newsom sparked controversy by ordering the closure a day early, calling the live fire over a civilian area dangerous and

1:01unnecessary. His move drew pushback from the White House and highlighted tensions between state leaders and the Trump administration. Local protests against the President added to the charged atmosphere that day. Lawmakers from California, including 26 house members in both senators, later demanded answers from Hegseth on safety planning and decision-making for the unusual display. Newsom's office praised the Marine's thorough probe while criticizing the event as performative. Investigators pinned the mishap on a one-and-a-million defect, ruling out any negligence by personnel. They noted possible contributing factors like howitzers positioned too closely and unusual electromagnetic energy nearby. The report cleared everyone involved and emphasized the rarity of such failures. The daily news now is powered by our sponsor, Lincoln the Description. What is cooler than cool, a pillow that plays your sound, s-o-l-i-soli-pillow-dot-com.