No. of Recommendations: 13
California Highway Patrol officials say that a patrol vehicle was struck by shrapnel from an artillery round that was fired during Saturday's live-fire event at Camp Pendleton to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary.
The metal shrapnel came from an "explosive ordnance fired over the Interstate 5 freeway" that had "detonated overhead prematurely," CHP said in a news release. The falling piece of shrapnel damaged the patrol vehicle just after 1:45 p.m., CHP said. They said that it left a dent and a scratch on the hood of the car.
"The incident happened in an area where CHP officers were supporting a traffic break along I-5 near Camp Pendleton during an exceptional U.S. Marine Corps live-fire training demonstration over the freeway, and where the CHP had elected to stop traffic during the live-fire exercise," said CHP's release.
No injuries were reported, and CHP officers informed USMC personnel at the scene, who canceled any additional firing of live ordnance over the freeway. The surrounding area was also swept by law enforcement.
"This was an unusual and concerning situation," said a statement from CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. "It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them."
One of the officers who was at the scene when the shrapnel fell described the sound as "'pebbles' falling on his CHP BMW motorcycle," according to the incident report filed on Saturday.
CHP officers filed an internal report on the incident, recommending an additional after-action review to strengthen further protocols and communication between federal, state and local government for any future demonstrations or training near public roadways.
A spokesperson for the Marine Corps told CBS News that the incident was under investigation. ——CBS
Way to own those libs, JD!
