JD Vance

Artillery round from Camp Pendleton celebration explodes over I-5, hits CHP vehicle

Accident comes after Governor Gavin Newsom raised safety concerns and closed freeway

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Shrapnel that struck CHP vehicle

October 20, 2025 (Camp Pendleton, CA) – An artillery round exploded prematurely over I-5 on Saturday, causing metal shrapnel to strike a California Highway Patrol vehicle. The incident occurred while  Vice President J.D. Vance was at Camp Pendleton for the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.

President Donald Trump refused to cancel the live-fire demonstration over the freeway, even after Governor Gavin Newsom, the CHP and local leaders voiced safety concerns. Newsom ordered busy I-5 closed for four hours during the event, drawing criticism from conservatives, but the accidental explosion over the highway proved such concerns valid. Had other vehicles been on the freeway, additional chunks of shrapnel could have caused damage or injury to motorists.


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HARRIS PICKS GOVERNOR TIM WALZ FOR VP: MIDWESTERNER IS ALSO A FIVE-TERM CONGRESSMAN, VETERAN, TEACHER AND COACH

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2024 (Philadelphia) – Large crowds packed a stadium in Philadelphia this week to see the first public speeches by Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her newly-named vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor and five-term Congressman Tim Walz. Walz brings leadership skills, expertise on rural and veterans' issues, as well as  Midwest common-sense values to the team. Raised on a farm, Walz served 24 years in the National Guard, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

He has also worked as a high school teacher and football coach, taking a team with 27 straight losses on to win the state championship for the first time in the school’s history. His affable manner and sense of humor also bring a sense of normalcy that appears to be welcomed by many voters, judging by the enthusiastic cheers heard throughout his first public speech as vice presidential running mate.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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