US Vice President's Motorcade Damaged by Shell Fragments

One of the vehicles in US Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade was damaged by shrapnel from an artillery shell that prematurely exploded during an event in California commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps. There were no casualties as a result of the incident.

As reported by the media, a 155mm shell prematurely detonated during a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday, scattering debris onto a nearby interstate highway. The shrapnel damaged a motorcycle providing security for the vice president and a California Highway Patrol vehicle.

California Highway Patrol Chief Tony Coronado described the situation as "extraordinary and concerning," noting that exercises with live fire or explosives on an active highway are extremely rare.

Following the incident, the Marine Corps halted the live firing and launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the accident. A statement from the I Marine Expeditionary Force noted that the demonstration had undergone a rigorous safety assessment and had multiple layers of protection to ensure the safety of citizens.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had expressed concern last week about conducting live-fire missile exercises over the highway, criticized President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance, accusing them of "endangering people's lives to put on a show."

Commenting on the incident in a conversation with reporters on Sunday, Vice President Vance noted that he had a "great visit" with the Marines. "They were obviously excited, and I was very excited too," he said upon returning to Washington.