On New Year's Day in 2019, a promising young United States Marine's life was tragically cut short in what should have been the secure environment of his barracks in Washington, D.C. Riley Kuznia, a 20-year-old male, was on duty as a team leader for Guard Company at the historic Marine Barracks Washington, situated near the U.S. Capitol. Hailing from the small town of Karlstad, Minnesota, Kuznia was known for his positive attitude and his lifelong dream of being a soldier, a dream he realized
after graduating high school in 2017.
In the early hours of January 1st, at approximately 5 a.m., a gunshot shattered the quiet of the barracks. Kuznia was struck by a bullet from a fellow Marine's service weapon. Despite immediate life-saving efforts and being rushed to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The initial investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department was classified as a death investigation, and the Marine Corps assured the public there was no ongoing threat. It was quickly determined that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted.
The investigation into the circumstances of the shooting soon pointed to another Marine, Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnson. According to military authorities, the incident was a result of a gross mishandling of a firearm. It was alleged that Johnson pointed his pistol at Kuznia and pulled the 'trigger in jest,' resulting in the fatal shot to Kuznia's head. This act was reportedly preceded by other instances of Johnson mishandling his firearm, including removing it from his holster while dancing on one occasion and chambering a round in another unrelated incident.
Following an investigation, Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnson was charged with murder, manslaughter, and failure to obey a lawful general order. After the shooting, he was immediately relieved of his guard duties and reassigned to administrative tasks. The charges brought a new level of sorrow to a case that was initially considered a tragic accident, revealing a narrative of recklessness that ended a young Marine's life far too soon.
