Overview of the Shooting Incident
A shooting incident occurred at Fort Stewart Base in Georgia on Wednesday, where an Army sergeant opened fire, resulting in five soldiers being injured and a subsequent lockdown. According to officials, the suspected shooter was logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford. At this time, no motive has been confirmed, though it is believed that Radford used a personal handgun rather than a military weapon.
Prior to the shooting, Radford reportedly sent a text message to his aunt expressing his love for everyone and indicating that he would be in a better place because he was about to do something. His father, Eddie Radford, shared this information with The New York Times.
The incident led to immediate action by nearby soldiers who tackled the shooter, as reported by Brig. Gen. John Lubas. Radford was quickly taken into custody, and officials later stated there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Details About the Suspect
Sgt. Quornelius Radford is 28 years old and from Jacksonville, Florida. He had a limited criminal history, including a recent DUI arrest. However, base officials were unaware of his past. Radford was arrested by the Georgia Department of Public Safety on May 18, 2025, for DUI and failing to obey a traffic control device. According to reports, he was on bond at the time of the shooting.
Radford’s supervisors were not aware of his previous arrest, as revealed by Lubas. Additionally, Radford’s father mentioned that while his son had no history of serious mental health issues, he sometimes experienced depression due to the loss of his mother during childhood.
Radford joined the Army in January 2018 as an automated logistical specialist and has been stationed at Fort Stewart since 2022. He is currently in pretrial confinement awaiting charges. Authorities are still investigating how he managed to bring his personal gun onto the base.
Impact of the Lockdown
The shooting took place in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT) area. Law enforcement was called to the scene just before 11 a.m., and by 11:04 a.m., the base went into lockdown. Approximately 30 minutes after the lockdown, authorities apprehended the gunman.
Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m., but the 2nd ABCT complex remained locked down. The lockdown order was extended to Wright and Evans Army Airfield. The lockdown lasted about an hour and prompted three nearby schools to also lock down “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the Liberty County School System. The lockdown was lifted just before 2 p.m., coinciding with students’ first day back in the classroom after summer break.
Information on the Injured Soldiers
Five soldiers were shot during the incident. All were treated at the base, with some being transported to Winn Army Community Hospital and later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a top-level trauma center. Officials confirmed that all five injured soldiers were in stable condition and expected to recover.
Reactions from Political Figures
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed sadness over the tragedy, stating he was keeping the victims, their families, and all those serving in the military in his thoughts and prayers. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Reps. Rich McCormick, Mike Collins, and Marjorie Taylor Greene also shared their condolences and support for the affected individuals and communities.
Former state lawmaker Stacey Abrams also offered prayers for the wounded soldiers and their families, acknowledging the efforts of first responders who acted swiftly to save lives.
White House Response
President Donald Trump addressed the incident, vowing that the suspect would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He emphasized the importance of justice for the victims and the need to remember the event. Trump also expressed hope for the recovery of the injured and urged the nation to pray for the victims and their families.
About the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was established in 2016 after adding over 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of approximately 4,200 soldiers. Known as the “Spartan Brigade,” it is considered the most modern land fighting force by the Army. Fort Stewart serves as a training and deployment site for active and reserve Army units, primarily members of the 3rd Infantry Division.