On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, a routine morning at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia was shattered by gunfire, leaving five soldiers wounded and a tight-knit military community grappling with shock and uncertainty. The incident, which unfolded just before 11 a.m. in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) area, triggered a swift lockdown of the sprawling installation and nearby schools, and prompted an outpouring of support and concern from state and national leaders.
According to The Independent, the shooter—identified by Army officials as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida—opened fire on his fellow soldiers using a personal handgun. Within minutes, chaos gave way to courage as fellow soldiers, acting "immediately and without hesitation," tackled Radford to the ground, preventing further bloodshed. Brig. Gen. John Lubas praised their quick thinking, which likely saved lives amid the sudden violence.
Law enforcement was called to the scene just before 11 a.m., and by 11:04 a.m., the base was in lockdown. The main cantonment area’s lockdown was lifted at 12:10 p.m., but the 2nd ABCT complex remained secured for some time, as reported by Fox News Digital. The lockdown extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield, and, out of caution, three local schools also locked down—an unsettling start to the students’ first day back after summer break. The school lockdowns were lifted just before 2 p.m.
About thirty minutes after the base went into lockdown, authorities apprehended Radford. Officials later assured the public that there was "no active threat to the community." The Army Criminal Investigation Division arrived on site to begin their inquiry, and Radford was placed in pretrial confinement awaiting charges.
Details about how Radford managed to bring a personal firearm onto the base remain under investigation. Brig. Gen. Lubas affirmed, "We’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty," but maintained confidence in the base’s overall security protocols. The Army confirmed Radford joined as an automated logistical specialist in January 2018 and had been assigned to Fort Stewart since 2022. He had not been deployed to combat and, according to Lubas, had no known disciplinary issues prior to the shooting.
Radford’s background revealed a recent brush with the law: he was arrested by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for DUI and failing to obey a traffic control device on May 18, 2025. At the time of the shooting, he was out on bond. Per a summons obtained by Fox News Digital, Radford told the arresting officer that he ran a red light because he "had to go to the bathroom." His supervisors, however, were unaware of this arrest until after the tragic events unfolded. Lubas acknowledged, "That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases."
Family members provided a glimpse into Radford’s state of mind. According to The New York Times, Radford sent his aunt a text message before the shooting, saying "he loved everybody, and that he’ll be in a better place because he was about to go and do something," as relayed by his father, Eddie Radford. The elder Radford noted his son sometimes struggled with depression, particularly following the death of his mother during his childhood, but stated there was no history of serious mental health issues.
The Army has not released the names of the five wounded soldiers, citing the need to notify their families first. All five were initially treated at the base, with some transferred to Winn Army Community Hospital and others to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a top-level trauma center. As of August 6, officials reported that all five were in stable condition and expected to recover—a small solace amid the trauma. By August 8, three of the five had been released from the hospital, and the prognosis for full recovery was positive for all, as confirmed by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth during a ceremony honoring the soldiers who intervened.
In the aftermath, the Fort Stewart community and the wider public have wrestled with questions about motive and security. Lt. Col. Angel Tomko emphasized that officials would not speculate on Radford’s motive, which remains unclear. The Army is also conducting a thorough review to understand how Radford brought a firearm onto the base, a breach that has unsettled many but has not diminished confidence in the base’s security, according to Lubas.
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, where the shooting occurred, is known as the "Spartan Brigade." Created in 2016 by adding over 200 vehicles to an infantry unit, it is considered by the Army to be the "most modern land fighting force." Fort Stewart itself is a critical hub for training and deploying active and reserve Army units, especially members of the 3rd Infantry Division.
The shooting drew swift responses from Georgia’s political leaders and national figures. Governor Brian Kemp expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today’s tragedy at Ft. Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same." Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock echoed the sentiment, stating, "I’m monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families." Republican Representatives Rich McCormick, Mike Collins, and Marjorie Taylor Greene also shared their prayers and thanks for the first responders and medical personnel who acted quickly to save lives and end the threat. Former state lawmaker Stacey Abrams added her gratitude for the first responders and prayers for the wounded and their families.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office, vowing that the suspect "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." He emphasized the gravity of the incident, stating, "Five people were seriously wounded and two very, very seriously hurt around 11:00 this morning. The shooter is now in custody and the Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Trump continued, "The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully they’ll fully recover and we can put this chapter behind. But we’re not going to forget what happened. We’re going to take very good care of this person that did this -- horrible person."
As the investigation continues, Fort Stewart soldiers and their families are left to process the shock, support the wounded, and honor the bravery of those who intervened. The incident has sparked difficult questions about mental health, gun access, and communication within military ranks, but has also highlighted the resilience and camaraderie that define the Army community. For now, the focus remains on healing—and on ensuring that such tragedy is never repeated.