A Camp Pendleton celebration of the Marine Corps’ 250th year veered into controversy when an artillery round detonated midair over Interstate 5, showering shrapnel onto a parked CHP vehicle and cutting short the live-fire demonstration. No injuries were reported. Gov. Gavin Newsom had briefly closed a 17-mile stretch of the freeway over safety concerns as about 15,000 attendees, including Vice President JD Vance, gathered. The Marines had rehearsed firing over I-5 the day before without notifying state officials. The White House criticized the closure; the Marine Corps has launched an investigation.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.