Marine at 8th and I in Hospital With Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

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Marine Barracks Washington hosts an evening parade in honor of Vice President of the United States Mike Pence in Washington, D.C., on May 4, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daisha R. Sosa)
Marine Barracks Washington hosts an evening parade in honor of Vice President of the United States Mike Pence in Washington, D.C., on May 4, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daisha R. Sosa)

Editor's note: Due to changes in official statements, this story has been updated to remove characterization of the cause of the gunshot wound.

A Marine guard at the home of the commandant in Washington, D.C., has been transported to the hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Marine officials.

The incident took place at approximately 8 a.m. local time, according to a Marine Corps news release. A male Marine standing post by himself at Marine Barracks Washington, also known as 8th and I, sustained a gunshot wound, officials said.

While a Marine official originally told Military.com the wound appeared to be caused by a negligent discharge, officials later walked that back, saying only that it was self-inflicted.

"Marines, along with members of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington Navy Yard Fire and Emergency Services, and District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, immediately responded to the incident," the release stated. "A Marine was transported to George Washington University Hospital."

The identity of the guard has not been released, but a spokeswoman for the post, Capt. Colleen McFadden, said he was in stable condition.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the incident. 

Marine Barracks Washington is home to Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller and a number of ceremonial units, including the famous Silent Drill Platoon and the President's Own marching band. The base hosts public parades and ceremonies in the summer to highlight the history and tradition of the Marine Corps.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

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