On the morning of Wednesday (6), five US Army soldiers were shot at Fort Stewart military base in Georgia. The alleged shooter, identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford, is now in custody.
According to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, Radford reportedly used a personal 9mm handgun, purchased in Florida in May, to carry out the attack. The shooting happened in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area at the installation, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah.
Details of the attack
Sources indicate that the attack followed a disagreement between Radford and one of the victims a day earlier. On the day of the shooting, Radford arrived at Fort Stewart, followed the victim into a maintenance area, and shot him in the chest. He then opened fire on four additional soldiers before he was tackled and subdued by nearby personnel. Law enforcement officials recovered the firearm and numerous shell casings at the scene.
Immediate response
The response from fellow soldiers was swift and effective. Brig. Gen. Lubas praised the soldiers who “immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him,” preventing further harm and allowing law enforcement to take Radford into custody. The attack lasted approximately 40 minutes before Radford was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. local time.
Condition of victims
All five wounded soldiers were hospitalized following the attack. Two were taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, while the other three received care at an Army hospital. According to base officials, all victims are currently in stable condition and are expected to recover from their injuries.
Investigation and motive
Military authorities are continuing their investigation. They are working to determine how Radford was able to bring a personal firearm onto the base. “We’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty,” Brig. Gen. Lubas stated, while also affirming confidence in the overall security of the installation. Currently, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
Legal and disciplinary proceedings
Radford, who joined the Army in 2018 as an automated logistical specialist, has no prior combat history and, according to officials, no known history of behavioral issues. However, he was arrested earlier in May for driving under the influence and booked into the Liberty County Jail.
Following his arrest for the shooting, Radford is being held in pretrial confinement. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has questioned him, and the Office of the Special Trial Counsel—which functions similarly to the US Attorney’s Office but within the Army—is reviewing evidence and preparing charges.
It is expected that Radford will face court-martial proceedings, the military’s equivalent of a criminal trial. The highest level, a general court-martial, is reserved for the most serious offenses.
Military and national response
President Donald Trump addressed the nation after the incident, vowing that Radford “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” and expressing his thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed strong support for law enforcement’s actions, calling the event a “cowardly shooting” and assuring that swift justice would be brought forth.
Ongoing security measures
Even as authorities probe this breach, Brig. Gen. Lubas continues to express confidence in Fort Stewart’s security protocols. The actions of the soldiers who subdued Radford are being lauded as exemplary, serving as a reminder of the importance of readiness within the military community as investigations continue to unfold.
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