Victim In Fort Stewart Shooting Was Suspect's Romantic Partner: Report

FORT STEWART, GA — New details have emerged in a mass shooting that injured five soldiers at Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, including charges against the accused gunman.

Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford faces six counts of attempted murder, one count of domestic violence and six counts of aggravated assault, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Authorities arrested the 28-year-old Floridian after accusing him of shooting and injuring five of his coworkers with his personal gun around 11 a.m., Aug. 6, in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area at Fort Stewart, where Radford worked as an automated logistics sergeant in a sustainment unit.

Radford was accused of shooting at a sixth soldier but not striking the person, the Associated Press reported. One of the victims was identified as Radford's romantic partner, the Army reportedly said, but it is unknown if the person was shot.

The charges against Radford were announced Tuesday in a military courtroom at Fort Stewart. He will be held in pretrial confinement.

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The mass shooting at the Georgia base drew national attention. Allegations of racism and bullying against Radford were dug up, and more information was learned about a text message Radford's father said was sent prior to the shooting as Radford expressed "he was about to go and do something."

Radford was arrested after six soldiers intervened. Previously, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscollnoted the "heroism, courage and selfless service" of the soldiers, adding their actions saved lives.

The soldiers were identified in a WTOC report as First Sgt. Joshua Arnold, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Aaron Turner and Sgt. Eve Rodarte. Driscoll honored them with medials, WTOC reported.

One of the soldiers, unarmed, tackled Radford while a second soldier jumped on top of Radford and held him until authorities arrived, Driscoll said. The remaining four soldiers used their training to tend to those who had been shot, Driscoll said.

Fort Stewart Senior Commander Army Brig. Gen. John Lubas said there was no hesitation for the soldiers to jump into action, apply first aid and stop the bleeding.

Army officials have declined to comment on the shooter’s motives. Under military law, attempted murder carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment.

Radford was represented by Army defense attorneys at his hearing Tuesday. Phone and email messages left with Fort Stewart’s Trial Defense Service were not immediately returned.

Now that he’s been charged, Radford faces pretrial proceedings to determine whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial by court-martial.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.

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