A U.S. Army soldier has been taken into custody after allegedly opening fire on fellow service members at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia on Wednesday morning, injuring five.
The shooter has been identified as Quornelius Radford, 28, an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, according to Brigadier General John Lubas, who addressed reporters at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Five Injured, All in Stable Condition
The shooting occurred late Wednesday morning, prompting an emergency lockdown of the military installation, which is home to more than 10,000 soldiers, staff, and their families.
Lubas confirmed that five soldiers were wounded in the incident, three of whom will require surgery. Two of the injured were transported to Memorial Hospital in Savannah for further treatment. All five are reported to be in stable condition and are expected to recover.
Quick Action Prevented Further Harm
According to Lubas, the violence was stopped swiftly thanks to the immediate response of nearby soldiers.
“Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him,” Lubas said. “That allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody.”
Radford was apprehended alive at 11:35 a.m., roughly thirty minutes before the base lockdown was lifted. A shelter-in-place order issued earlier in the day had instructed personnel to “stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors.” An "all clear" signal was issued by mid-afternoon.
Civilian Weapon Used; Motive Unclear
Lubas confirmed that Radford used a personal handgun, not a government-issued weapon, in the attack. He emphasized that investigators are still working to determine a motive.
“He is being interviewed by Army investigators, and we believe we’ll gain more information here shortly,” Lubas said.
Lubas also revealed that Radford had been arrested for a DUI in May, but his command was not aware of the incident until after the shooting.
“That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases,” Lubas added.
Federal and State Officials Respond
The incident quickly drew attention from both federal and state officials. The White House and Department of Homeland Security are monitoring the situation. A spokesperson confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement following the shooting:
“We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that all Georgians do the same.”
About Fort Stewart
Located just west of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and serves as the headquarters for the 3rd Infantry Division. The base houses thousands of active-duty personnel, their families, and support staff, playing a central role in the Army’s operations and readiness.
Investigation Ongoing
Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents are leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not said whether Radford will face charges in civilian or military court, but officials expect to release additional details in the coming days.
