Investigators search for motive after suspect shoots five on Georgia Army base
Military investigators work to piece together Thursday morning why a U.S. Army sergeant opened fire on his own unit. The sudden attack on Wednesday left five soldiers wounded at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics specialist stationed at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
The shooting and arrest
Army officials said the incident happened just before 11 a.m. ET, triggering an immediate lockdown across the base. The lockdown lasted approximately one hour.
The suspect was taken into custody roughly 30 minutes later, thanks to fellow soldiers who tackled him at the scene.
Fort Stewart Senior Commander Army Brig. Gen. John Lubas said the soldiers’ actions, “without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded.”
Radford allegedly shot five soldiers during the incident. Emergency responders treated the victims on the scene before transporting them to Winn Army Community Hospital. Officials have yet to identify the victims, who worked directly with Radford. All victims are expected to recover.
As of Thursday, officials said Radford acted alone. Investigators continue to probe how he brought a personal firearm onto the base, despite strict rules banning them.
The suspect’s history
Lubas mentioned that Radford had never been sent into combat.
According to the Associated Press, Radford has a hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on Aug. 20 for accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. ET on May 18.
He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said.
Public response to Army base shooting
In a post on X, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised “swift justice” for the shooter and “anyone else found to be involved.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also issued a statement, saying, “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 Georgians everywhere do the same.”
President Donald Trump spoke about the incident prior to another event Wednesday, saying the suspect “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
