A California Highway Patrol cruiser parked along Interstate 5 was struck by shrapnel from a 155mm artillery shell during a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday, officials confirmed.
A photo released shows a fragment of the artillery shell lodged in the side of the CHP vehicle, which had been stationed near the base’s perimeter during the exercise. No injuries were reported, but the cruiser sustained visible damage to its rear panel.
The U.S. Marine Corps has launched an internal review to determine how the round’s debris traveled outside the designated safety zone. CHP officials said the officer assigned to the vehicle was outside the cruiser at the time and was not harmed.
Camp Pendleton frequently conducts live-fire training, but such incidents involving civilian or law enforcement property are rare. Military safety officers have temporarily suspended the exercise pending the outcome of the investigation.
