Sgt. Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old Army sergeant, is facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting five fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on August 6, 2024. The incident occurred at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex, where Radford opened fire on his coworkers during the morning. The shooting resulted in injuries to five soldiers, though none of the victims have been publicly identified, and all survived their wounds.
Radford was tackled by nearby soldiers, effectively ending the violent episode. He has since been charged with serious offenses, including attempted premeditated murder, attempted unpremeditated murder, aggravated assault, and domestic violence. According to military court reports, one of the victims was Radford’s intimate partner, and two of the shooting victims were premeditated targets.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
At his pre-trial confinement review on August 12, Radford was formally charged under Articles 80, 128, and 128b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The charges include two counts of attempted premeditated murder, four counts of attempted unpremeditated murder, and multiple aggravated assault charges, with some specifically for inflicting grievous bodily harm and using a dangerous weapon.
Radford will now be transferred to the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston at Joint Base Charleston, where he will remain in pre-trial confinement. A neutral judge advocate will be appointed as a preliminary hearing officer, and the case will move forward with a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Investigation and Evidence
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) has stated that Radford used a personal handgun during the shooting, not a military-issued firearm. Fort Stewart officials have confirmed that Radford’s charges will be reviewed by the Army OSTC to assess whether the case should be referred for trial in a general court-martial.
Radford’s Background
Radford, a Jacksonville, Florida native, enlisted in the Army in 2018 as an automated logistical specialist. He has not had any combat deployments. Fort Stewart, the site of the shooting, is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, home to the 3rd Infantry Division, and located about 41 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia.
Next Steps in Legal Process
The case is still in its early stages, with the preliminary hearing to be scheduled soon. Two of Radford’s victims spoke at his hearing, expressing concerns about his potential danger to himself and others. Radford did not make any statements during the hearing. If the charges are referred to a general court-martial, a military judge will be assigned, and the trial proceedings will begin.
