Fort Stewart Shooting: Five Soldiers Wounded, Suspect in Custody as Investigation Unfolds - LIVE UPDATES

HINESVILLE, Ga. — Fort Stewart, the U.S. Army’s largest installation east of the Mississippi, was thrust into chaos on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, when an active shooter opened fire, wounding five soldiers in a targeted attack at the base’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Army Sergeant Quornelius Samentrio Radford, was swiftly apprehended by fellow soldiers and is now in pretrial confinement as military and federal authorities investigate the motive behind the shocking incident.

Shooting and Immediate Response

The attack occurred at approximately 10:56 a.m. EDT in a workplace within the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s facilities at Fort Stewart, located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. Radford, an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the brigade, allegedly used a personal handgun—not a military-issued weapon—to open fire on his co-workers. Brigadier General John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, confirmed during a Wednesday afternoon press conference that the shooting took place in a “contained environment” at Radford’s duty station.

Five soldiers were injured in the attack, with all reported to be in stable condition as of Wednesday evening. Three of the victims required surgical intervention and were transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center in Savannah, approximately 40 miles from the base. The remaining two were treated at Winn Army Community Hospital on Fort Stewart. Lubas praised the rapid response of soldiers at the scene, who “acted immediately and without hesitation” to tackle and subdue Radford by 11:35 a.m., preventing further casualties. “Their bravery undoubtedly saved lives,” Lubas said.The shooting prompted an immediate lockdown of Fort Stewart, as well as nearby Wright Army Airfield and Evans Army Airfield, beginning at 11:07 a.m. The lockdown was lifted by 1:50 p.m. after authorities confirmed the threat was neutralized. Out of an abundance of caution, three local schools—Button Gwinnett Elementary, Joseph Martin Elementary, and Snelson Golden Middle School—were placed on soft lockdown, with restrictions lifted by early afternoon. Fort Stewart’s Child Development Center was also temporarily secured, and parents were notified to collect their children once the situation was deemed safe.

Suspect Background and Investigation

Quornelius Samentrio Radford, originally from Jacksonville, Florida, enlisted in the Army in January 2018 and has served as a logistics specialist with no record of combat deployments. Authorities revealed that Radford was arrested in May 2025 for driving under the influence in Liberty County, a detail that was not communicated to his chain of command until after the shooting. The Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), in collaboration with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Georgia State Patrol, is leading the investigation into the incident.

A key focus of the probe is how Radford managed to bring a personal firearm onto the base, as Fort Stewart’s security protocols prohibit non-military weapons in most areas. “We’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty,” Lubas said, emphasizing that the base’s security measures are under review but remain robust. Investigators are also working to uncover the motive behind the shooting, with Lubas declining to speculate on whether it was driven by workplace disputes, personal grievances, or other factors. “We’re letting the investigation run its course,” he stated.Radford is currently in pretrial confinement at an undisclosed location on the base, facing potential charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, though specific charges have not yet been announced. The CID is interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence, including the recovered handgun, to build a comprehensive timeline of events.

Impact on Fort Stewart and Community Response

Fort Stewart, spanning nearly 280,000 acres across five Georgia counties, is home to approximately 21,000 active-duty soldiers, 24,000 family members, and thousands of civilian employees. The base serves as the headquarters for the 3rd Infantry Division, a key component of the Army’s rapid-deployment forces, and supports extensive training and operational missions. The shooting has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit military community, marking the second high-profile violent incident at the base in recent years. In 2022, Sgt. Nathan Hillman was killed by a fellow soldier in an unrelated shooting, highlighting ongoing concerns about violence on military installations.Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Fort Stewart community, saying, “We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers as we receive more information on this tragedy.” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, a former Fort Stewart employee, underscored the deep connection between the base and the surrounding region, stating, “Fort Stewart is part of the fabric of our community. When they hurt, we hurt as well.” At the federal level, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were briefed on the incident and are closely monitoring developments.

Broader Context and Ongoing Developments

The Fort Stewart shooting comes amid heightened national attention to gun violence and security on military bases. In recent years, incidents at installations like Fort Hood (2009) and Naval Air Station Pensacola (2019) have prompted the Department of Defense to bolster active shooter training and security protocols. Fort Stewart officials emphasized that all personnel receive regular training to respond to such threats, which likely contributed to the swift neutralization of the suspect.

As of Wednesday evening, August 6, 2025, the investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the Fort Stewart Military Police or the Army CID. The base has resumed normal operations, but counseling services have been made available to soldiers, families, and civilian employees affected by the incident. The Army has also pledged to provide ongoing support to the victims and their families, with updates on their recovery expected in the coming days.The incident has sparked renewed discussions about mental health resources for service members and the challenges of preventing unauthorized weapons on military installations. For now, the Fort Stewart community is focused on healing and supporting one another as the investigation seeks to uncover why this tragedy occurred.