Story perspectives

Premature Shell Explosion at Camp Pendleton Draws Criticism

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

A U.S. Marine Corps report found a malfunction during a Camp Pendleton live-fire on Oct. 18, 2025, causing a shell to explode prematurely over Interstate 5 and strike California Highway Patrol vehicles with no injuries.
Investigators said the M795 fuze was highly reliable.
They noted that the close placement of howitzers and electromagnetic interference could have contributed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the exercise as reckless.
The White House defended it.

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Story summary

A U.S. Marine Corps report found a malfunction during a Camp Pendleton live-fire on Oct. 18, 2025, causing a shell to explode prematurely over Interstate 5 and strike California Highway Patrol vehicles with no injuries.
Investigators said the M795 fuze was highly reliable.
They noted that the close placement of howitzers and electromagnetic interference could have contributed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the exercise as reckless.
The White House defended it.