Fort Stewart, GA — A 28-year-old Army sergeant opened fire on fellow soldiers at one of the country’s largest military installations on Wednesday, injuring five service members before being subdued by his own colleagues in an act of extraordinary bravery.
Shooter Identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford
The suspect, Sgt. Quornelius Radford, used a personally owned handgun, not a military-issued weapon, to carry out the shooting at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex, according to authorities.
“These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded,” said Brig. Gen. John Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry Division.
The base, located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, was placed on brief lockdown starting around 11:00 a.m., and Radford was arrested at 11:35 a.m., according to the Associated Press.
All Five Victims Expected to Recover
The five wounded soldiers were quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Three of them required surgery, but all are reported to be in stable condition and are expected to survive.
“The Army is investigating the shooting,” officials said, noting that many questions — including a motive — remain unanswered.
The incident happened in a part of the base where Radford was assigned as a supply sergeant. Officials confirmed he had not been deployed overseas since enlisting in January 2018.
Shooter Faced DUI Charges Before Incident
Court records show that Radford was facing misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence and running a red light. The offenses stemmed from a traffic stop on May 18, and a hearing was scheduled for August 20 in Hinesville, a town near the base.
- Radford was released on $1,818 bond after providing a blood sample.
- His attorney in that case, Sneh Patel, said he is not representing Radford in the shooting investigation.
A phone number listed for Radford rang unanswered, and no public statement has been made on his behalf.
Base Security and FBI Involvement
The attack has renewed concerns about security at U.S. military installations, which are supposed to be among the most protected areas in the country. The FBI is now assisting with the investigation, according to Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
“A horrible person,” former President Donald Trump said of the shooter during an unrelated appearance at the White House.
Following the lockdown, normal operations resumed at Fort Stewart, and cars were seen passing through the main gate security checkpoint.
A History of Tragedy on Military Bases
This incident joins a list of violent attacks on U.S. military installations in recent years:
- 2009 (Fort Hood, TX): Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured over 30.
- 2013 (Washington Navy Yard): Civilian contractor shot 12 dead before being killed by police.
- 2014 (Fort Hood, TX): A soldier killed three people and wounded over a dozen before dying by suicide.
- 2019 (Pensacola, FL): Aviation student shot three dead in a classroom.
- 2019 (Pearl Harbor): Navy sailor killed two people before killing himself.
Military leaders are once again facing pressure to evaluate internal security measures, especially around the mental health and behavior of enlisted personnel.
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