Additional Coverage:
Fort Stewart Shooting: Heroism Amidst Gunfire
Five soldiers were wounded Wednesday at Fort Stewart military base in Georgia when a sergeant allegedly opened fire with a personal weapon. Quick action by fellow soldiers, who tackled and disarmed the suspect, prevented a potentially far worse tragedy.
The incident began mid-morning, interrupting what had been a routine day for many on base. First Sgt.
Joshua Arnold and Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor both heard the gunshots and immediately sprang into action.
Arnold, after discovering a spent shell casing and a wounded soldier, called for help. Taylor, a trained combat medic, rushed to provide aid to the injured soldier.
Meanwhile, several unarmed soldiers, including Staff Sgt. Aaron Turner, confronted the suspect.
In a struggle, Turner managed to disarm the suspect even as the suspect attempted to reload. Master Sgt.
Justin Thomas assisted in restraining the suspect, while Staff Sgts. Robert Pacheco and Eve Rodarte, both combat medics, provided medical assistance.
The following day, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll awarded the six soldiers with the Meritorious Service Medal, commending their bravery and quick thinking. “Under duress and fire, they ran into battle to the sound of the gunfire, took down the assailant, and then took care of their comrades,” Driscoll stated.
The suspected shooter, Sgt. Quornelius Samentrio Radford, 28, is in custody.
Investigators are still piecing together a motive. A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated a prior disagreement between Radford and one of the victims.
Two of the wounded soldiers, both women, remain hospitalized. One is expected to be released soon, while the other faces a longer recovery.
The incident underscores the pervasive nature of gun violence in the US. It is at least the 262nd mass shooting in the country this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine how Radford brought a personal firearm onto the heavily secured base. He is expected to face a court-martial.