Charges pending in Kuznia death

By Enterprise Staff

The man involved in the shooting death of a Karlstad Marine on New Year’s Day 2019 has been officially charged with murder, among other accusations. 

Lance Cpl. Andrew M. Johnson was on duty with Lance Cpl. Riley Kuznia, of Karlstad, in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2019, at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Johnson’s gun discharged and the bullet struck Kuznia, who later died in a hospital from the wound. 

According to a press release from the United States Marine Corps, the case “remains open pending additional investigative actions and appropriate disposition of the charges.” 

The release also states the preliminary investigation shows “Guard Company policies and proper firearm handling procedures were not followed.”

Because of these findings, Johnson’s scheduled for an Article 32 preliminary hearing at Marine Corps Base Quanitco, Va., on Thursday, Aug. 22. The allegations state he violated several Uniform Code of Military Justice Articles, including failure to obey a lawful general order (92), murder (118), manslaughter (119) and general article (134).