Army sergeant seeks plea deal in Georgia base shootings

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

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:18am

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An Army sergeant accused of shooting and wounding five co-workers at a southeast Georgia base last summer is seeking to plead guilty to attempted murder and other charges in a military court, Army prosecutors said. Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, allegedly used a personal handgun to open fire on members of his supply unit at Fort Stewart in August, injuring four soldiers and a civilian worker before bystanders disarmed and restrained him.

Why it matters

The shooting at the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River raised concerns about safety and security on military bases, as well as the potential mental health challenges faced by active-duty personnel.

The details

Radford is seeking 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. Army prosecutors said they haven't negotiated a plea deal with Radford, meaning he would still face a possible life prison sentence if a military judge accepts his guilty plea.

  • The shootings occurred on August 6, 2025.
  • Radford pleaded not guilty to the charges last fall.
  • Radford's plea change is scheduled to be considered by a military judge on March 31, 2026.

The players

Sgt. Quornelius Radford

A 28-year-old Army sergeant accused of shooting and wounding five co-workers at Fort Stewart in Georgia.

Lt. Col. Dylan Mack

Radford's lead defense attorney.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas

The 3rd Infantry's commander, who credited soldiers with saving lives by immediately 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 judge in the case will decide on March 31 whether or not to accept Radford's guilty plea.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the military faces in addressing mental health issues and preventing violence within its ranks, as well as the importance of swift action by bystanders to save lives in active shooter situations.