Army Sergeant Seeks Guilty Plea in Georgia Base Shootings

Sgt. Quornelius Radford accused of wounding 5 co-workers at Fort Stewart in 2022

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:09am

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An Army sergeant accused of shooting and injuring five co-workers at a military base in Georgia last summer is seeking to plead guilty to a reduced set of charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault. Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, allegedly opened fire on members of his supply unit at Fort Stewart in August 2022 before being disarmed and restrained by bystanders.

Why it matters

The shooting at Fort Stewart, one of the largest Army bases on the East Coast, raised concerns about workplace violence and mental health issues within the military. The case highlights the challenges the Army faces in maintaining discipline and safety on its installations.

The details

Radford is accused of using a personal handgun to shoot and wound four soldiers and a civilian worker, who was his romantic partner. He has been charged with 13 criminal counts, including six counts of attempted murder and six counts of aggravated assault. Radford's attorneys have now told a military judge that he wants to plead guilty to a reduced set of charges, including two counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of domestic violence.

  • The shooting incident occurred on August 6, 2022 at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
  • Radford pleaded not guilty to the charges last fall and was scheduled to stand trial by court-martial in June 2023.
  • Radford's attorneys informed the military judge last week that he now wants to plead guilty to a reduced set of charges.

The players

Sgt. Quornelius Radford

A 28-year-old Army sergeant accused of opening fire on members of his supply unit at Fort Stewart, injuring five people.

Lt. Col. Dylan Mack

Radford's lead defense attorney.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas

The 3rd Infantry Division commander at Fort Stewart, who credited soldiers with saving lives by rendering first aid to the victims.

Dan Driscoll

The Army Secretary who visited Fort Stewart the day after the shootings to award Meritorious Service Medals to six soldiers who helped restrain the gunman and treat the victims.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The military judge is scheduled to consider Radford's plea change at a hearing on March 31. If the judge accepts his guilty plea, Radford could still face a possible life prison sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the military faces in addressing workplace violence and mental health issues among its personnel, even on secure installations like Fort Stewart. The Army's response in quickly treating the victims and recognizing the soldiers who intervened likely helped save lives, but the underlying causes of the shooting remain to be fully addressed.