A shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, this morning has left five soldiers injured, but fortunately, all are now in stable condition, according to Brigadier General John Lubas, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. The incident unfolded in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, a section of the base associated with the Army’s Spartan Brigade.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Lubas confirmed that three of the soldiers required surgery and were subsequently transferred to Memorial Hospital in Savannah for additional care. The other two were treated on base and then transported to Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported.
Authorities have identified the suspected shooter as Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Radford, who does not have any combat experience, was apprehended shortly after the shooting. “The shooter is alive and in custody,” Lubas confirmed, noting that there is no longer a threat at the base.
The suspect, a 28-year-old soldier, had been arrested earlier this year for driving under the influence during a traffic stop, a law enforcement official revealed.
The shooting occurred just before 11:00 a.m. ET, when the base was put on lockdown. Within minutes, law enforcement and emergency responders rushed to the scene. By 11:35 a.m., the shooter had been taken into custody, and the lockdown was lifted by 12:10 p.m. The situation, which caused widespread concern, also led to nearby schools in Liberty County, including Button Gwinnett Elementary and Snelson-Golden Middle Schools, being placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution. Thankfully, no threats to the schools were identified.
In the wake of the shooting, both local and federal authorities, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have been providing support in the ongoing investigation.
“Our focus remains on the welfare of the soldiers and ensuring their full recovery,” Lubas stated.
Georgia lawmakers have also responded, expressing their shock and support. Sen. Raphael Warnock said he was “heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today,” adding that he was closely monitoring the situation.
The shooting took place in the area that houses the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, known as the Spartan Brigade. This brigade has a long history, dating back to World War I and serving in numerous military campaigns over the years, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe. Their motto, “When the Nation calls, ‘Whom shall we send?’ A Spartan will respond, ‘Send Me!'” reflects their longstanding commitment to military service.
Truck driver Ron Peavey, who had just completed a delivery at the base, described the surreal moment when “everything stopped” as the base went into lockdown. He spent about 30 minutes waiting in the commissary, unsure of what was happening.
“The base just turned into a ghost town for almost an hour,” Peavey said. “Nobody knew what was going on.” He expressed relief that the situation ended without further loss of life.
The base is no longer on lockdown. However, the incident remains under investigation.
