FORT STEWART, Ga. — A quiet morning at one of the U.S. Army’s most prominent installations turned chaotic after an active shooter opened fire, leaving five soldiers injured and sparking a rapid lockdown of the base. Military officials have now identified the suspect as 28-year-old Army Sergeant Quornelius Samentrio Radford.
The shooting occurred Wednesday in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT) area at Fort Stewart, a sprawling military installation located in southeast Georgia. Emergency dispatchers received reports of a possible active shooter at approximately 10:56 a.m., prompting an immediate response from military law enforcement and emergency medical teams.
By 11:04 a.m., Fort Stewart was placed under full lockdown. All gates were closed, and movement across the base was restricted as authorities worked to locate and neutralize the threat. Sgt. Radford was taken into custody at 11:35 a.m., less than an hour after the initial report.
According to officials, Radford did not use a military-issued weapon in the attack. Instead, he carried out the shooting using a personally owned handgun. His motives remain unclear, and the incident is now the subject of an ongoing and active investigation.
Victims and Medical Response
Five soldiers were shot during the incident. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported. All five victims were treated on-site by military medical personnel before being transported to Winn Army Community Hospital for continued care.
Three of the injured soldiers reportedly underwent surgery and are said to be in stable condition, along with the other two victims. Some were later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a nearby trauma facility equipped to handle serious injuries.
Fort Stewart officials confirmed that the main cantonment lockdown was lifted at 12:10 p.m., though the 2nd ABCT area remains secured while investigators work the scene and gather evidence.
Who is Quornelius Radford?
Quornelius Samentrio Radford, 28, is a serving U.S. Army sergeant stationed at Fort Stewart. He has a history of legal trouble, including a DUI arrest in May, which raised concerns internally but did not appear to prevent him from continuing to serve on post.
His role within the 2nd ABCT has not been detailed, nor has any official comment been made about his mental health status, recent behavior, or possible disciplinary issues that may have foreshadowed the attack.
Community Response and Investigation
Military authorities have stated clearly that there is no longer an active threat to the Fort Stewart community. Additional security measures have since been put in place across the base as a precaution.
While the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to avoid speculation and allow the justice process to unfold. At this point, no further charges have been publicly announced, though they are expected as law enforcement finalizes its findings.
This disturbing incident has shaken both the Fort Stewart community and the wider military family. Questions remain about how and why a serving soldier was able to commit such an act of violence against his fellow service members.
Military leaders have pledged full transparency once the investigation concludes and expressed gratitude to first responders for their rapid and effective actions that likely prevented greater loss of life.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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