CHP cruiser on I-5 hit by shrapnel during Marine Corps event attended by JD Vance

A California Highway Patrol cruiser was struck by shrapnel Saturday after an artillery round fired during a U.S. Marine Corps anniversary event exploded prematurely over Interstate 5 — a mishap officials described as “unusual and concerning.”

The explosion occurred during a highly contentious ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Camp Pendleton, a sprawling base north of San Diego.

The exercise, which featured live ordinance and aerial displays, was meant to officially commemorate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary — and, unofficially, serve as a counterpoint to the nationwide “No Kings” demonstration against President Donald Trump’s policies.

Read more: San Francisco Chronicle