US Marines Investigate Live Artillery Firing Over California Highway

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The US Marine Corps has launched an investigation after a live artillery round was fired over a major California highway during a military ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance. The shell reportedly detonated in mid-air, scattering shrapnel over nearby police vehicles and raising questions about safety protocols during the event.

The mishap occurred during a demonstration involving live-fire exercises at a Marine base in southern California. According to officials, one artillery shell went off course, exploded above the designated range area, and rained debris near vehicles stationed on the perimeter. No injuries were reported, but the explosion caused minor damage to several police cars parked nearby.

Military sources confirmed that Vice President Vance, who was in attendance for a ceremonial event with Marine officials, was not in immediate danger. The vice president’s security team and local law enforcement were quickly informed, and all scheduled activities were temporarily halted while an initial safety review was conducted.

In a brief statement, the Marine Corps said it is conducting a “comprehensive investigation” into the cause of the incident. Officials emphasized that strict safety standards are in place during all live-fire exercises and that the event will be reviewed to ensure no procedural violations occurred.
“The safety of our personnel and the public remains our top priority,” the statement read. “We are fully committed to identifying what went wrong and preventing future incidents.”

Local law enforcement agencies coordinated with military officials to secure the affected area and assess damage. Traffic along the nearby highway was temporarily closed as a precaution.
The Department of Defense is also expected to review the findings once the Marine Corps completes its inquiry.

Live-fire exercises are a routine part of Marine Corps training, often conducted at bases with established safety perimeters. However, this incident has renewed scrutiny over range management practices, especially during public or high-profile events.