WASHINGTON (AP) — Police in Washington say one Marine stabbed another Marine to death after a fight that began when the suspect used an anti-gay slur to refer to the victim.

The slaying occurred early Saturday morning on Barracks Row, a bustling neighborhood near the Marine Barracks in Southeast Washington. Police say the suspect, 20-year-old Michael Joseph Poth, lives at the barracks.

Poth allegedly used a pocketknife to stab 23-year-old Philip Bushong once in the chest. Bushong, who was based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., died at a hospital. Poth has been charged with second-degree murder.

Marine Capt. John Norton, a Marine Barracks Washington spokesman, says Bushong's death is "obviously a tragedy" and says the Marines are cooperating with local authorities.

Police believe the two men did not know each other before the fight.