Convicted Army Gunman Sentenced In Fort Stewart Shooting

FORT STEWART, GA — The Army sergeant convicted of opening fire last August at a Georgia military base received six consecutive life sentences Tuesday in connection with the shooting that injured five soldiers, according to an entity operated by the U.S. Department of War.

A military judge handed down the sentence to Sgt. Quornelius S. Radford at the Fort Stewart Courtroom, according to the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel. The shooting took place on Aug. 6, 2025 at Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield.

Radford will eventually be eligible for parole, but he will be dishonorably discharged from the Army. His sentence also included a demotion to E-1, and he must relinquish all pay and allowances.

On June 18, he was convicted of two counts of attempted premeditated murder and four counts of attempted unpremeditated murder in connection with the shooting, the department said.

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He previously pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence, one count of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and four counts of aggravated assault by inflicting grievous bodily harm on March 31.

But he insisted he never intended to kill anyone and Army prosecutors pressed ahead with trying Radford on charges of attempted murder, the Associated Press reported.

Trial witnesses described how Radford walked to two offices and a conference room as he shot four soldiers, but he told others he encountered to leave, WSAV-TV reported. He was apprehended by military police after being restrained and disarmed by fellow soldiers.

A radiologist who examined X-rays of the soldiers' injuries testified one was shot in the face and another in the chest, while bullets stuck other victims in the back and abdomen. Dr. Morgan Williamson said any of those wounds could have been fatal, WTOC-TV reported.

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Prosecutors argued that Radford knew from his military firearms training never to shoot at anyone unless he meant to kill them.

Defense attorneys said Radford was suicidal and opened fire to provoke a showdown with police, hoping they would kill him.

“Radford only wanted one person to die that day, himself,” said Lt. Col. Dylan Mack, one of Radford's Army lawyers.

Radford opted for his trial to be decided by a military judge rather than a jury of soldiers.

What Happened?

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

The shooting occurred following an argument Radford had with his fiancé that morning at his home, according to the Special Trial Counsel.

The counsel said Radford, armed with a loaded gun, drove to his unit at Fort Stewart after the dispute. His fiancé, who was afraid Radford was suicidal, followed him to the base.

"After catching up to Radford in the unit’s parking lot, his fiancé attempted to calm him down but Radford pulled out the gun and shot him," the counsel wrote.

RELATED: Accused Fort Stewart Gunman Was Bullied, Faced Racism: Reports

Radford then went into the unit offices and shot four soldiers, injuring them, the counsel stated. He attempted to shoot a sixth soldier but missed, the counsel stated.

He was arrested after six soldiers intervened.

One of the soldiers, unarmed, tackled Radford while a second soldier jumped on top of Radford and held him until authorities arrived, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll said at the time. 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.

Previously, Driscoll noted the "heroism, courage and selfless service" of the soldiers, adding their actions saved lives.

RELATED: 3 Fort Stewart Shooting Victims Released From Hospital: Officials

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 acknowledged his involvement in the shooting and has been sitting in custody at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston located at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina, the counsel stated.

He is to serve his sentence at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, the counsel stated.

“Today’s life sentence reflects the profound betrayal at the heart of this case. Soldiers are trained to face danger from the enemy, not from those standing beside them in formation," said Maj. Matthew Fields, prosecutor for the Second Circuit of the Special Trial Counsel, in a news release.

"Sgt. Radford turned his weapon on his own unit, shooting fellow soldiers, including members of his leadership, shattering the trust that is essential to every military organization. His actions left victims with devastating physical injuries, emotional trauma and scars that will endure for a lifetime. This sentence recognizes not only the immense suffering inflicted on the victims and their families, but also the extraordinary breach of trust that struck at the core of military service. This sentence makes clear that those who turn on their fellow service members and violate that trust will face severe and lasting consequences.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 988. The Crisis Text Line can provide support through text messages by texting "HOME" to 741741.