A U.S. Army sergeant has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting that wounded five fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, appeared in military court Tuesday, where he faced multiple charges, including six counts of attempted murder, six counts of aggravated assault, and one count of domestic violence. According to Military.com, the domestic violence charge stems from one of the victims being Radford's romantic partner.
The shooting occurred on August 6 when Radford allegedly opened fire on members of his supply unit with a personal handgun. Fellow soldiers quickly disarmed and restrained him until military police arrived at the scene.
Military Court Proceedings Begin
The hearing officer ordered Radford to remain in pretrial confinement following his first court appearance. Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson for the Army's Office of Special Trial Counsel, confirmed that the sixth attempted murder charge relates to a soldier Radford shot at but missed.
McCaskill explained that the domestic violence charge was filed because one of the victims was Radford's intimate partner. However, she did not specify whether this person was among the five wounded soldiers or the one who was targeted but not hit.
The Army has not released the names of any victims involved in the incident. Fort Stewart officials have also declined to comment on potential motives behind the shooting.
Heroic Response Saves Lives
Soldiers in Radford's unit demonstrated remarkable courage by following the sound of gunfire into the office building hallways. They discovered hazy gunsmoke in the air and found wounded victims scattered on floors and in nearby offices.
Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, praised soldiers for their immediate response in rendering first aid. Some soldiers used their bare hands to stop bleeding from gunshot wounds, actions that likely saved lives.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited Fort Stewart the day after the shootings to recognize the heroic efforts. He awarded Meritorious Service Medals to six soldiers who helped restrain the gunman and treat the victims.
Legal Proceedings Move Forward
Under military law, attempted murder carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment for Radford. Army defense attorneys represented him during Tuesday's hearing, though representatives from Fort Stewart's Trial Defense Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Radford now faces pretrial proceedings to determine whether sufficient evidence exists for a court-martial trial. The military justice system will evaluate the case through established protocols for serious criminal charges.
The charges represent a significant step in the military's response to the violent incident. Legal experts note that domestic violence charges in military contexts often carry additional consequences beyond civilian court penalties.
Fort Stewart Installation Details
Fort Stewart serves as the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River and houses thousands of soldiers. The installation is home to the 3rd Infantry Division and is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia.
Radford worked as a supply sergeant in the division's 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Army records indicate he enlisted in the military in 2018, serving for approximately seven years before the incident occurred.
The base's significant size and population make incidents like this particularly concerning for military leadership. Fort Stewart's role in training and deploying soldiers worldwide adds additional scrutiny to security protocols and personnel management procedures.
