Military Report Says 'One in a Million' Live Fire Malfunction Rained Shrapnel on California Highway

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Military.com

Published March 18, 2026 at 6:01am ET


LOS ANGELES — A “one in a million” malfunction during a live fire demonstration over Camp Pendleton last October led to a misfire that rained shrapnel on Interstate 5, striking two California Highway Patrol vehicles, a U.S. Marine Corps investigation found.

An artillery shell exploded over the highway that serves as the main corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego during a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, attended by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Nobody was hurt, and investigators ruled out any negligence or wrongdoing by Corps members.

The day before the event, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom called the planned demonstration with live artillery dangerous and unnecessary, and he ordered I-5 to be closed during it. That closure drew condemnation from the White House and other Republicans, and the Marine Corps said the exercises wouldn't endanger motorists.

In a 666-page report dated Dec. 19 and first reported on Monday, the Marines concluded that there “is no definitive answer” to why an M795 high explosive round detonated early at an altitude of about 1,480 feet (450 meters) during the Oct. 18 demonstration. Such a premature detonation is “beyond reasonable expectations and should not have happened, but it did,” the report says.

Read more: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/03/18/military-report-says-one-million-live-fire-malfunction-rained-shrapnel-california-highway.html

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REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143548436
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143549558
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143549904
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143550091
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143550274
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143551270
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143552498

[malthaussen]

1. Oh, bullshit. n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

2. One big concern

since we have decided to start up the war-mongering again, is how much other defective ordinance is in our stockpile, because if it were actually used in a live military engagement, it might not operate as expected... and we would never know since it is being fired "at an enemy".

[lark]

3. Duh, shit happens, things misfire, it's life.

Glad Newsome was much smarter than the Marine Corps. - otherwise it could have been regular folks being endangered by the inevitable mistake.

[travelingthrulife]

5. We were endangered. San Diego had their amber alert boards displaying

'live fire over freeway'.all over the place with no other info.

[lark]

8. Glad to hear there were measures in place to protect people.

Of course, nothing from the arrogant and not smart Marines.

[travelingthrulife]

4. And that is why you don't do it over a freeway.

Plus, it was only done to intimidate because it was No Kings rally that day in San Diego and the surrounding area.

They posted warning signs that it was going on (live fire over freeway), but no information as to what you are supposed to do if you see it coming down on your head.

[SunSeeker]

6. "...ruled out any negligence or wrongdoing by Corps members."

The Marines just absolved themselves, shocker! This is why we need an independent investigation.

They fired live rounds over a freeway!! A Freeway!!! Idiots!!!!

[BumRushDaShow]

7. I know your own state police did their own investigation back in October!

[BattleRow]

9. 666 page report...??

And no definitive answers??

[twodogsbarking]

10. Read my wips. I dunno.

[DBoon]

11. No, this is not "one in a million"

How many times is artillery fired over the Interstate 5?

The actual probability is one hit divided by the number of fires.

I'll be generous and say artillery fired over the Interstate 5 maybe twenty time total.

That makes the probability 1/20, or 5%, not "one in a million"

"one in a million" is not a probability - it is an excuse

[twodogsbarking]

12. So when will be the next "one in a million"? Next or a million from now? Ponder that.