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Marine killed in D.C. barracks on New Year's Day

By Clyde Hughes and Danielle Haynes
Los Angeles Rams players watch flyover behind Marines during the national anthem in Los Angeles, Nov. 11. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Los Angeles Rams players watch flyover behind Marines during the national anthem in Los Angeles, Nov. 11. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine died when he was shot inside the Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., but officials did not suspect foul play was involved.

Lance Cpl. Riley S. Kuznia, 20, died Tuesday while on duty at the military facility in southeastern Washington, The Washington Post reported. Authorities said it appeared the incident may have been the result of an accidental discharge from another Marine's weapon.

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Alaina Gertz, the public affairs specialist for D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, told ABC News that the person who fired the weapon has not been charged and "based on our investigation no criminal intent has been established."

Gertz said it will be up to the U.S. attorney's office to determine whether to file charges.

Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Colleen McFadden said she could confirm only that the victim did not suffer "a self-inflicted injury." The shooting occurred at 5 a.m. on New Year's Day.

A Metro report said the Marine was pronounced dead at 5:59 a.m. at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

"The command's priorities are to take care of the Marine's family and friends," Col. Don Tomich, the commanding officer, said in a statement released on the barrack's website. "We want to ensure these personnel are being provided for during this challenging time."

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Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., also known as "8th & I" for its street address, is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. It was founded by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in 1801.

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