Fort Stewart shooting: What happened, who is suspect Quornelius Radford?

A tragic incident unfolded at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia on Wednesday, when a U.S. Army sergeant shot and injured five fellow soldiers. The suspect, now in custody, was subdued by others at the base.

Brigadier-General John Lubas, commanding officer at Fort Stewart, confirmed that all five victims are currently in stable condition, though three required surgical treatment. The quick response by other soldiers on site helped prevent a potentially deadlier outcome.

Details of the Shooting

The shooting occurred shortly before 11 a.m. local time near the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s area. Military police and emergency services were alerted at approximately 10:56 a.m. (14:56 GMT), prompting an immediate lockdown of the base at 11:04 a.m. The suspect was detained by 11:35 a.m., just 39 minutes after the first shots were fired.

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Authorities say the shooter was apprehended by fellow service members who managed to disarm and restrain him. Emergency personnel provided immediate aid at the scene before all five injured soldiers were transported to Winn Army Community Hospital. Two of them were later transferred to Memorial Hospital in Savannah for further medical care.

There have been 262 American mass shootings in 42 different states (and Washington D.C.) in the 218 days of 2025.https://t.co/2OhPFpsw7r pic.twitter.com/HFfbWt2UFu

— The Gun Violence Archive (@GunDeaths) August 7, 2025

Location: Fort Stewart’s Role and Relevance

The attack took place at Fort Stewart, the largest U.S. Army installation east of the Mississippi River. Situated near Hinesville, Georgia—about 40 miles southwest of Savannah—Fort Stewart is home to over 21,000 active-duty personnel and more than 19,000 military retirees. The base also employs around 4,350 civilian and contract workers.

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, where the incident occurred, comprises roughly 4,000 troops and is equipped with heavy military vehicles, including tanks and armored carriers.

This brigade has experienced significant loss over the past year. In January, two soldiers were killed during a training exercise when their vehicle overturned. In March, four others died in Lithuania after their recovery vehicle sank into a bog, with their bodies recovered only days later.

Who Is the Suspect?

The shooter has been identified as Sergeant Quornelius Radford, 28, who served in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. According to Gen. Lubas, Radford had not seen deployment in any combat zones. His military role primarily involved logistical and supply management.

Authorities state that Radford used a personally owned 9mm handgun—not military-issued—in the attack. The weapon was legally purchased in Florida earlier this year.

The sergeant is currently being held in pretrial confinement while military prosecutors decide on formal charges. Lubas emphasized that Radford had no known history of behavioral problems within his service record. However, he had been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in May—an incident his commanding officers were unaware of.

Reports suggest Radford had a confrontation with one of the victims the day before the shooting. On the day of the attack, he reportedly followed that individual to a maintenance area and shot him before turning the weapon on four others.

Family Speaks Out

Radford’s father, Eddie Radford, expressed shock in an interview with The New York Times. “It’s hard for me to process,” he said, adding that his son had recently spoken about attempting to transfer out of Fort Stewart due to experiencing racism on base.

While investigators are still working to establish a clear motive, Gen. Lubas confirmed that all victims were co-workers of the suspect, and the shooting occurred in their shared work environment.

Wider Context: Gun Violence in the U.S.

Following the attack, the base remained locked down for just over an hour, reopening at 12:10 p.m. (16:10 GMT).

This shooting adds to the alarming statistics of mass violence in the U.S. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 262 mass shootings across the country so far this year. The organization defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the perpetrator.

While this number is lower than in previous years—503 in 2024 compared to 659 in 2023—it still reflects a troubling pattern of violence affecting communities, workplaces, and even military institutions.

Conclusion

As investigations continue, military and civilian law enforcement are working together to determine exactly what led to this outbreak of violence within the ranks of one of the nation’s most prominent military bases. For now, the focus remains on recovery for the wounded and understanding how such an incident could unfold in a secure military environment.