Media: US Vice President's motorcade came under fire

An artillery shell exploded during U.S. Marine Corps exercises in California, injuring a security officer from the U.S. Vice President’s motorcade, The Daily Beast reports.

The incident occurred at Camp Pendleton during a live-fire demonstration marking the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.

The California Highway Patrol said in a statement that metal shrapnel from an explosive device fired over Interstate 5 detonated overhead.

One of the 155mm shells fired from an M777 howitzer prematurely detonated over Interstate 5, a major highway connecting Los Angeles and San Diego.

Shrapnel struck a motorcycle from the Vice President’s security detail and a California Highway Patrol vehicle. No serious injuries were reported, but the explosion caused alarm among those present.

The First Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton said it has launched an investigation into the incident.

By Khagan Isayev