Overview
- A California Highway Patrol report says a 155 mm shell fired from White's Beach detonated midair at 1:46 p.m., showering shrapnel that dented a patrol car’s hood near Camp Pendleton, with no injuries reported.
- Firing was halted on scene and the event was terminated, with safety sweeps clearing the freeway for reopening after debris checks found only small fragments one to two inches long.
- The mishap occurred with the first of roughly 60 planned rounds for the demonstration using M777 howitzers, according to the CHP incident report shared with Reuters.
- CHP’s Border Division called the episode unusual and urged a formal after‑action review to strengthen planning, communication and coordination among federal, state and local partners.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom had ordered a 17‑mile closure of I‑5 over safety concerns and later labeled the display reckless while demanding an apology, after the White House earlier asserted there were no public‑safety concerns; a U.S. official said a separate test firing of about 30 rounds occurred the day before.