Sergeant Shot 5 Colleagues at Fort Stewart; All Survive

Overview of the Incident

On Wednesday, a shooting occurred at Fort Stewart in Georgia, resulting in five soldiers being injured. The suspect, identified as Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old automated logistics sergeant in the Army, was captured after the incident. During the event, the post and nearby schools were placed on lockdown for approximately an hour.

Radford reportedly opened fire on his co-workers, who were fellow soldiers. The weapon used in the attack was a personal handgun, not an Army-issued weapon. Soldiers who witnessed the incident tackled the suspect and secured him until law enforcement arrived. According to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry Division, these soldiers prevented further casualties or injuries.

Radford is currently in pretrial confinement. Little information has been released about him beyond the fact that he was out on bond after being arrested for a local charge of driving under the influence and had not been deployed to combat.

Medical Treatment and Response

All five injured soldiers received treatment at the scene before being transported to the on-post Winn Army Community Hospital. One patient arrived by ambulance around 1:20 p.m. for additional treatment and surgical intervention at the level 1 trauma center at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. A second patient arrived around 1:45 p.m. in an ambulance under heavy police escort. Due to weather conditions, helicopter transport was not possible.

Law enforcement sources reported that a third soldier was being transferred to the Savannah hospital around 2:20 p.m. All victims were stable, according to the Army.

The Army is investigating how Radford managed to bring the weapon into his workplace. However, Lubas expressed confidence in the security measures on the post.

Timeline of Events

The lockdown began at 11:04 a.m. following the shooting in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area of the post. By approximately 11:35 a.m., the suspect was in custody. The lockdown was lifted by 12:10 p.m., and authorities confirmed there was no active threat to the community.

Background on the Suspect

Army records indicate that Radford enlisted in January 2018 and worked as a supply sergeant without deployment. He faced an August 20 hearing in Hinesville regarding accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light. He was given a blood test and released on a $1,818 bond, according to court documents.

Attorney Sneh Patel is representing Radford in the traffic case but not the shooting, citing attorney-client privilege. The FBI was present at the fort to assist with the investigation, as stated by Deputy Director Dan Bongino. President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation, and he expressed his condolences, stating that the nation is praying for the victims and their families.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also offered their support and prayers for those affected. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock emphasized the need for continued prayer and support for the military community.

Historical Context

This incident brings to mind previous shootings at military installations. For example, in December, a fatal shooting at Fort Gordon led to a lockdown. Other notable incidents include the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, where a U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people, and the 2013 Washington Navy Yard shooting, which resulted in 12 deaths. These events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by military communities.

About Fort Stewart

Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. It houses thousands of soldiers assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and their families. The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Spartan Brigade,” is recognized as the most modern land fighting force within the Army. Established in 2016, the unit added over 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers.