“Missile” launched off the coast of L.A. remains a mystery

Does anyone know who or why someone launched what appears to be a missile off the coast of Southern California Monday afternoon?

The Pentagon still doesn’t know the answer. Neither does the Navy, nor the Air Force.

“This is bizarre,” said one senior Pentagon official.

A news helicopter captured the object on video, scorching the heavens at dawn, approximately 35 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, and just north of Catalina Island.

Pentagon officials told NBC San Diego that the incident was not a planned military action and that it’s unlikely a missile would be tested next to a large city such as L.A. Officials say if it were a planned exercise, residents would have at least been notified.

The mysterious nature of the incident has caused much speculation as to who launched the missile and why. Some believe the occurrence was an accident – a “pushed the wrong button” sort of deal on behalf of the military. Others say it could have been a launched by a rogue “rocketeer.”

But officials don’t even know where exactly the “missile” was launched from. If it were a test missile or a military accident, it would have either come from Naval Air Station Point Mugu or Vandenberg Air Force Base, according to Fox News. It is also possible that the object was sent skyward from a surface boat or submarine.

The Vandenberg Air Force Base did launch a Delta II rocket Friday night, putting an Italian satellite into orbit. But officials say they haven’t launched anything since.

At this point, the major questions surrounding the “missile” remain a mystery.

See video of the object streaking into the afternoon sky:

Photo by KCBS news helicopter.