Fort Stewart Shooting: 5 Soldiers Injured, All Expected to Recover After On-Base Attack
Fort Stewart Shooting: 5 Soldiers Injured, All Expected to Recover After On-Base Attack
Fort Stewart Shooting in Georgia — August 6, 2025:
Five U.S. soldiers were injured in a shocking shooting incident at Fort Stewart Army Airfield, but all are expected to recover, according to military officials. The alleged gunman, a fellow soldier, has been taken into custody.
The shooting occurred just before 11 a.m. ET within the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s motor pool area—one of the most active zones on the base. The suspect, later identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old logistics noncommissioned officer, reportedly used a personally owned handgun in the attack.
“Swift Response Prevented More Casualties”
During a press briefing later that day, Brigadier General John Lubas, Deputy Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, stated that nearby soldiers quickly responded to the threat. “Their courageous and immediate actions saved lives. The suspect was subdued within minutes,” Lubas confirmed.
Military police arrested Radford at 11:35 a.m., roughly 30 minutes after the first emergency alert. He was reportedly restrained by colleagues before MPs arrived on scene.
“We train for these moments, but no one expects them to happen here,” Lubas added. “We are grateful that despite the trauma, no lives were lost.”
Victims in Stable Condition
The five victims—all assigned to the same unit—were initially treated at Winn Army Community Hospital. Three of them required emergency surgery due to the severity of their injuries, while two others sustained less critical wounds.
Two soldiers were later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a Level 1 trauma center. As of Wednesday evening, all five were in stable condition and recovering well.
“This could have been a mass casualty situation,” said Dr. Rachel Swenson, head of emergency medicine at Memorial Health. “Thanks to quick evacuation and the skill of first responders, the outcome is far better than it might have been.”
Fort Stewart Shooting Lockdown Lifted After One Hour
Immediately following the incident, Fort Stewart Shooting was placed on lockdown. Sirens and emergency alerts went out across the sprawling base, and military police cordoned off affected areas. Liberty County public schools in the surrounding area were also placed under lockdown as a precaution.
By 12:00 p.m., the lockdown was lifted and regular base activity slowly resumed, though areas connected to the investigation remained secured.
Investigation Underway: Motive Unclear
The Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have launched a joint investigation into the incident. Authorities confirmed that the weapon used was not a service-issued firearm.
Although no motive has been publicly disclosed, early reports suggest the shooter may have had personal disputes with at least one of the victims. However, officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and no conclusions have been drawn.
“There’s no indication of terrorism or ideological motives at this time,” an FBI spokesperson said. “We’re focusing on workplace dynamics and mental health assessments.”
Past Incident Overlooked?
Adding to concerns, it has since emerged that Sgt. Radford had a prior DUI arrest in May 2025, just three months before the shooting. However, according to military spokespeople, this information was not reported to his commanding officers—a lapse that may prompt further scrutiny into how disciplinary records are tracked and shared within military ranks.
“This breakdown in communication is unacceptable,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Bruckner, commander of Fort Stewart. “We are conducting a full internal review to ensure this kind of oversight does not happen again.”
National and Local Reaction
Reactions to the Fort Stewart shooting have come from across the country, particularly within the military and political community.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called the attack “deeply troubling,” while President Donald Trump, currently in his second term, issued a brief statement offering support to the victims and praising the swift response of base personnel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for a review of firearm access regulations on military bases and pledged federal assistance for mental health support.
A Rare But Alarming Event
Fort Stewart shooting, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah, is home to the 3rd Infantry Division and over 21,000 active-duty personnel. As one of the U.S. Army’s largest installations, it is considered to have some of the strictest base security protocols in the country.
Still, this incident underscores broader concerns about violence on military installations. While rare, past tragedies—such as the 2009 and 2014 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and the 2013 shooting at the Washington Navy Yard—remain etched in the minds of service members and their families.
“This incident shakes the entire military community,” said retired Command Sgt. Maj. David Lang, who once served at Fort Stewart. “When one of your own turns violent, it hits deeper than anything else.”
Looking Ahead: Healing and Accountability
Fort Stewart shooting has announced that counseling services and support hotlines are being made available to all personnel affected by the event. Units across the base have been advised to maintain open lines of communication and monitor for signs of trauma or distress.
As for Sgt. Radford, he remains in military custody and is expected to face multiple charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and unauthorized possession of a firearm on federal property.
His legal proceedings are likely to draw attention to issues around mental health, military discipline, and interpersonal violence within the armed forces.
For now, officials emphasize the good news: no lives were lost, and all five victims are expected to make a full recovery—a testament to training, teamwork, and the quick action of soldiers who were thrust into chaos and answered with courage.
