Army Sergeant Convicted in Georgia Military Base Shooting
A military judge has convicted U.S. Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford of attempted murder in connection with a shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, that left five people injured. The verdict followed a court-martial hearing over the incident that occurred in August 2025.
Radford, 29, was accused of opening fire with a personal handgun inside areas used by his supply unit. Four soldiers and his former fiancé, Raekwon Smith, suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. Authorities said fellow service members intervened and restrained the sergeant until military police arrived.
Prosecutors Argued Shooting Was Intentional
Earlier this year, Radford admitted to aggravated assault and domestic violence charges but maintained that he never intended to kill anyone. Military prosecutors, however, argued that his firearms training made him fully aware of the deadly consequences of shooting at others.
Witness testimony described how the sergeant moved through offices and a conference room while firing at multiple victims. Medical evidence presented during the trial showed that several wounds—including injuries to the chest, face, abdomen, and back—could have proved fatal.
Defense Claimed He Wanted Police to Kill Him
Defense attorneys argued that Radford had been struggling emotionally and wanted to provoke a fatal confrontation with law enforcement rather than intentionally kill anyone.
According to testimony, his former fiancé had followed him onto the base because he feared the soldier was suicidal. During the incident, Smith was also shot and wounded.
Radford chose to have his case decided by a military judge instead of a jury composed of soldiers. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for next week. Under military law, attempted murder convictions can carry a sentence of life imprisonment.
Fort Stewart, located southwest of Savannah, is one of the largest Army installations east of the Mississippi River and is home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
