Tragedy on Base: The Fort Stewart Shooting
On August 6, 2025, a serious active shooter incident erupted at Fort Stewart, Georgia (one of the U.S. Army’s largest installations), leaving five soldiers wounded and the military community shaken.
What Happened?
Around 10:56 a.m., reports came in of gunfire in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area on base. The installation went into lockdown shortly after, at 11:04 a.m. The shooter was restrained and taken into custody by 11:35 a.m.
The Suspect: Sgt. Quornelius Radford
The alleged shooter is Sergeant Quornelius Samentrio Radford, age 28, an automated logistics specialist assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Radford enlisted in January 2018 and had been stationed at Fort Stewart since about 2022. Notably, he had never been deployed to combat.
In the months prior, a DUI charge (from May 2025) surfaced in his background, although that wasn’t previously known by his chain of command.
Just 26 minutes before the shooting, Radford reportedly sent a text message in a family group chat saying: “I just want y’all to know that I love y’all … my time is slowly coming to an end … I might not be with my mama, but I’m gonna be in a better place.”
The Aftermath & Victims
Five soldiers were shot; a sixth soldier was shot at, but missed.
All wounded servicemembers were treated on-site and then transferred to Winn Army Community Hospital and other trauma centers.
Three of the injured required surgery.
As of official statements, all victims are stable and expected to recover.
Response & Reaction
Fellow soldiers reacted quickly. Some tackled Radford, others rendered first aid to the wounded. Their swift action likely prevented further injuries.
Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, publicly praised the soldiers’ courage and credited their response with limiting the damage.
The base lockdown was lifted midday after being confident there was no ongoing threat.
Six soldiers were later awarded Meritorious Service Medals for their heroism and role in subduing the shooter and helping wounded comrades.
Legal & Investigative Status
Radford now faces a sweeping array of charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and a domestic violence specification (because one of the victims was his intimate partner).
He remains in pretrial confinement after a hearing in a military court.
The motive for his actions is still unclear. Investigators, including the Army CID and the FBI, are actively exploring how he gained access to a firearm on base and what precipitated the attack.
Broader Implications & Questions Raised
The incident raises serious security concerns: how was a personal handgun brought onto a base (where regulations about weapons are strict)?
What mental health or stressors might have precipitated this act — especially considering the pre-incident message Radford sent?
How well do support systems (mental health, command supervision, threat detection) function on bases to spot internal risks?
For the military community, it’s a painful reminder: tragedy can arise even in environments considered among the safest for soldiers.
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