On August 6, 2025, a tragic shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, left five U.S. Army soldiers wounded and reignited national conversations around mental health, gun access, and base security.
Background on Quornelius Radford
- Name: Sgt. Quornelius Samentrio Radford
- Age: 28
- Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
- Military Role: Automated Logistics Specialist
- Unit: 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT), Fort Stewart
- Service Start: January 2018
- Combat History: No deployments to combat zones
Radford served in a technical support capacity, managing supplies and logistical systems. Despite being in the military for over 7 years, he had not seen combat, which can sometimes be a protective factor against certain service-related traumas—though not always.
Prior Incident Before the Shooting
- May 2025: Arrested for DUI and disobeying a traffic control device
- This offense was not reported to his military chain of command, exposing possible lapses in military oversight and internal reporting systems.
Details of the Shooting at Fort Stewart
- Time of Incident:
- Shooting began: 10:56 a.m. EDT
- Base lockdown: 11:04 a.m.
- Lockdown lifted: 11:35 a.m. after suspect was subdued
- Location: Operational area of the 2nd ABCT at Fort Stewart
- Weapon Used: Privately owned firearm, not issued by the Army
Witnesses say Radford opened fire without warning in the work area. Fellow soldiers quickly tackled and disarmed him, likely preventing further casualties.
Injuries and Medical Status
- Five soldiers injured, all part of the same unit
- Initially treated at Winn Army Community Hospital, some transferred to a trauma center in Savannah
- Three required surgery, all are now reported to be in stable condition and expected to recover fully
Official Response
- President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Army were briefed
- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences and pledged full state support
- The FBI and Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) are leading the probe
- No indication of terrorism or ideological motive at this time
Authorities have stated that they’re investigating all possible angles, including mental health history, interpersonal disputes, and stress-related factors within the unit.
Legal Status
- Radford is currently in pre-trial military confinement
- He will face charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
- Legal proceedings are pending, and no plea has been entered yet
Larger Implications
This shooting has raised several critical concerns:
- How did Radford gain access to a firearm on base?
- Why wasn’t his DUI arrest flagged to his command structure?
- Are current protocols adequate for identifying behavioral red flags among troops?
Q: Was this a terrorist act?
A: No evidence currently suggests terrorism or extremism. Motive remains under investigation.
Q: How did he bring a personal firearm onto base?
A: This remains under review. Most bases require firearm registration; officials are investigating compliance and security gaps.
Q: Are the injured soldiers expected to recover?
A: Yes. As of the latest update, all are in stable condition and recovering.
Q: What kind of legal process will Radford face?
A: A court-martial under military law, likely beginning with an Article 32 hearing (similar to a civilian grand jury).
