SAVANNAH, GEORGIA – A U.S. Army sergeant accused of shooting five people at a Georgia military base in August will face trial in a general court-martial on charges including attempted murder, Army prosecutors announced.
Sgt. Quornelius Radford allegedly opened fire on Aug. 6 at Fort Stewart, targeting members of his supply unit with a personal handgun. The attack left four soldiers and one civilian worker wounded before fellow soldiers restrained Radford until military police arrived. One of the victims, the civilian, was reportedly Radford’s romantic partner. A sixth victim was included in the charges after being shot at but not hit.
Radford also faces charges of domestic violence. He waived a preliminary hearing that would have determined whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed to court-martial. The next steps include assignment of a military judge and scheduling of pretrial proceedings.
Radford, who enlisted in 2018, has been serving as a supply sergeant in the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. Soldiers who responded to the incident provided immediate first aid, in some cases using their hands to stop bleeding, actions credited with saving lives by the division commander.
Fort Stewart officials have not disclosed what prompted the shooting. Under military law, attempted murder carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited the base after the incident to recognize six soldiers who helped restrain Radford and assist the wounded with Meritorious Service Medals.