I’ve been to the Barracks a couple of times. Go a block in any direction and it’s pretty scary.
Might be a bystander incident. Could be intent; not everyone in a barracks likes one another. Could be accident. We had an incident at another MCB in the early 70s where two gate guards got bored in the middle of the night and were playing quickdraw with their 45s. About the 4th draw one of them was startled by a shot, and the other was holding his side yelling you F#*#ing idiot, you shot me! Stupid shit happens when bored young guys play with weapons.
Hard to say what happened until the full details are released.
The neighborhood has improved a lot the last couple years. Just drove through there on Friday.... right up 8th street to get on 395.
Regardless, prayers for this Marine.
Used to be that way, but you've not been back for awhile. Still, at 5:30 a.m., anything can happen. Plus it's New Year's Day. Somebody might have been stumbling home after overdoing it last night.
I’d venture a guest it’s been several years since you were at 8th & I. It’s almost wall to wall yuppies now, as is most of DC ... neighborhoods that 20 year ago you wouldn’t go near are selling houses that were then boarded up for (well) over $1Million.