A marine has been charged with murder in a January shooting that occurred at the Marine Barracks Washington on January 1.
Andrew M. Johnson is charged in the early morning New Year’s Day shooting at the Marine Barracks Washington in Southeast. Johnson is accused of displaying irresponsibility with his firearm on more than one occasion, and of causing Kuznia’s death with “culpable negligence” and “wanton disregard of human life” in charging documents provided to DCist.
On the day of the shooting, Johnson allegedly pointed a pistol at Kuznia’s head and “pulled the trigger in jest,” per the document. The pistol discharged and Kuznia was shot—he was later pronounced dead at a Washington-area hospital. The charge sheet accuses Johnson of several counts of “dereliction of duty,” one count of murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and one count of negligent homicide.
The Marine Corps Times was the first to report on the charges.
The charge sheet also accuses Johnson of other dangerous behaviors with is weapon: In November 2018, it alleges, he removed his gun from its holster while dancing. At the end of December 2018, he allegedly removed his pistol from its holster, chambered a round, and said something to the effect of “Oh, you’re going to a party. Fuck this shit,” the charging documents allege. On the day of Kuznia’s death, Johnson allegedly failed to follow firearm procedure “by improperly clearing his pistol in an undesignated area without a supervisor,” per the documents.
There will be a preliminary hearing in his case on August 22 at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, according to a statement from the Marine Barracks Washington.
Johnson remains stationed at the Marine Barracks Washington, Marine Barracks spokesperson Christopher Harrison told DCist. After Kuznia was shot, Johnson was relieved of his guard duties and reassigned to administrative duties, the Harrison says.
Kuznia was 20 years old and from Karlstad, Minnesota. He was the team leader for Guard Company at the Barracks. On Thursday, Kuznia’s mother told the Washington Post that she was “just trying to process” the charges against the person who allegedly killed her son. Kuznia had wanted to be a marine since he was a child, she said.
“The Barracks remains committed to supporting Lance Cpl. Kuznia’s family as the legal process will undoubtedly reopen some wounds,” Col. Donald Tomich, the commanding officer at Marine Barracks Washington, said in a statement. “Time does not ease the pain of their loss or make dealing with this any easier for them, and our thoughts and prayers remain with them. They are a part of the Marine Barracks Washington Family.”
Natalie Delgadillo