The gunman who injured five fellow soldiers after he opened fire at the Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia, has been identified as a 28-year-old sergeant with no previous combat experience.
Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant for the 2nd brigade, was tackled to the ground and subdued by other soldiers who witnessed the attack before being taken into custody Wednesday.
Officials said Radford’s motivation is not yet known.
Fort Stewart, home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, was locked down following reports of the “active shooter” just after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The wounded were taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia.
Three of the wounded required surgery, though all were expected to make a full recovery, according to John Lubas Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart.
“Our first priority is to care for the soldiers and their families,” Lubas said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, adding that all of the victims’ next of kin had been notified and the Army was “wrapping our arms around them.”
Lubas also confirmed Radford’s identity as an “active duty soldier” and said that he was believed to have used a “personal handgun” in the attack, rather than a military weapon.
Liberty County Jail records show that Radford was arrested for a DUI in May of this year. Lubas said that the charge was not known to his superiors prior to Wednesday’s attack.
A previous statement put out by base officials said that law enforcement had been dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at just before 11 a.m with the suspected shooter apprehended around a half hour later at 11:35 a.m.
Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded Soldiers at 11:09 a.m. Lubas said the incident remains under investigation and the names of the victims are yet to be released.
Anxious family members flooded the comment sections of official base social media posts, praying that their sons, daughters and siblings were safe. One user, said that his son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter were all onsite as the incident unfolded, though later reported that they were all unharmed.
Following the initial reports of a shooter, those residing on the base were ordered the stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors, and report to the appropriate leadership. The lockdown order extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield.
Footage shared online on TikTok by a resident of the base showed soldiers running out of the barracks and round the side of a building to take cover.
Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, with the site stretching about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south.
FBI Atlanta confirmed that agents from its Savannah office were aware of the situation and was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reacted to the unfolding incident, writing on X: “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.”
Congressman Buddy Carter, who represents Georgia’s 1st District, said he too was monitoring the situation.
“Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community,” Carter wrote on X.
Nearby schools were also placed into light lockdown following the news, including those in the Appling County School System. “Out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with our commitment to student and staff safety, all Appling County Schools are currently in a Level 1 lockdown,” officials said.
The school lockdown was lifted shortly after the suspect was apprehended.
Fort Stewart updates: Five shot at Georgia army base on lockdown for ‘active shooter’
Who is the suspect accused of a mass shooting at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia?
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