On the morning of the incident, violence erupted at Fort Stewart, a sprawling U.S. Army base about 240 miles southeast of Atlanta. An active-duty soldier, identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, allegedly opened fire on his fellow troops using a personal handgun, inflicting injuries on five soldiers. The quick actions of other military personnel who intervened helped tackle Radford and prevent any additional escalation of the tragedy.
According to Brigadier General John Lubas, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, the injured soldiers are currently stable and receiving medical treatment, with three having undergone surgery. The attack triggered an immediate lockdown of the base, which spans nearly 280,000 acres and houses around 10,000 individuals in Hinesville, Georgia.
Radford, who is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had not previously served in a combat role and is currently in pre-trial confinement. Investigators are working to understand the motivations behind the attack, and they noted an earlier DUI arrest that had not been disclosed to military officials prior to the incident. The firearm used in the shooting was a personal weapon, raising questions about the security measures for weapon access on military grounds.
Local law enforcement received reports of the shooting at 10:56 EST and apprehended the suspect at 11:35 EST. The response from emergency crews and law enforcement was swift, capturing the chaos and somber atmosphere that enveloped the base. Notably, a manager from the on-site Burger King described huddling staff in a safe room as gunshots rang out, showcasing the site’s underlying tension.
In light of this grave situation, both President Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp offered their thoughts and prayers for the victims. Trump labeled the shooting an “atrocity” and assured that the attacker would face justice. Governor Kemp echoed this sentiment, urging the community to support the victims and servicemen as they are confronted with the aftermath of this violent episode.