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BREAKING News: Army Sergeant Opens Fire at Fort Stewart, Injures Five Before Being Subdued by Fellow Soldiers

FORT STEWART, Ga. — A U.S. Army sergeant unleashed chaos at Fort Stewart on Wednesday morning, opening fire on his coworkers and wounding five soldiers before being tackled and disarmed by fellow service members. The violent outburst at one of the nation’s largest military bases, located 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia, triggered a brief lockdown and sent shockwaves through the tight-knit military community.

The shooter, 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Samentrio Radford, an automated logistics specialist with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, used a personal handgun to carry out the attack at 10:56 a.m. inside the brigade’s complex, where he worked alongside the victims. Quick-thinking soldiers subdued Radford by 11:35 a.m., preventing further bloodshed. “These brave soldiers acted without hesitation, tackling the suspect and allowing law enforcement to take him into custody,” said Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.

All five wounded soldiers are in stable condition and expected to recover. Three underwent surgery, while two were transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for advanced trauma care. The victims, whose identities remain undisclosed pending family notifications, were Radford’s coworkers. Authorities have not yet determined a motive, with Lubas noting that investigators are still piecing together the events leading to the attack. The incident is not believed to be tied to a training exercise.

Radford, a Jacksonville, Florida native who enlisted in January 2018, had no recorded combat deployments or prior military disciplinary issues. However, a recent arrest for driving under the influence and a traffic violation in May 2025, in nearby Liberty County, came to light after the shooting. Radford was scheduled for a court hearing later this month related to those charges, though his attorney for that case is not representing him in the shooting investigation.

The Army Criminal Investigation Division, with FBI support, is leading the probe, focusing on how Radford smuggled a personal handgun onto the base—a violation of military regulations. He is currently in pretrial confinement, facing potential charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which could lead to a court-martial and imprisonment.

The lockdown, initiated at 11:04 a.m., ended by 1:56 p.m., restoring normal operations at Fort Stewart and its associated airfields. Spanning nearly 280,000 acres, Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi, home to roughly 15,000 active-duty soldiers and their families. It houses the 3rd Infantry Division and the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Spartan Brigade,” a modern armored unit formed in 2016.

President Donald Trump, briefed alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, condemned the shooting as an “atrocity” during White House remarks. “The shooter is in custody, and the Army will ensure this perpetrator faces the fullest extent of the law,” Trump said, adding, “The nation is praying for the victims and their families, and we hope for their full recovery.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is also monitoring the situation.

The attack has reignited concerns about insider threats, gun access, and mental health support on military bases. Fort Stewart has faced prior tragedies, including a 2022 shooting that killed a soldier and a 2023 domestic incident involving a service member’s family. While no fatalities occurred this time, the incident underscores persistent challenges in preventing violence on military installations, echoing high-profile cases like the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Investigators are delving into Radford’s background and potential warning signs to uncover what sparked this outburst.

Local leaders rallied around the Fort Stewart community. Hinesville Mayor Karl Riles called the base “a cornerstone of our city,” saying, “The soldiers are our neighbors, friends, and family. Their safety is our priority.” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson echoed the sentiment: “When Fort Stewart hurts, we all hurt. We’re committed to supporting our military community and ensuring their safety.”

As the investigation unfolds, Fort Stewart officials are providing counseling and support to the victims’ families and the broader base community, pledging to address security gaps exposed by the incident. The resilience of the soldiers who stopped Radford and the swift response of law enforcement have been hailed as a testament to the strength of the Fort Stewart community, even in the face of tragedy.