FORT STEWART, Ga. – New reporting reveals that the soldier accused of opening fire on his unit at Fort Stewart earlier this month was allegedly in an intimate relationship with one of the victims — a man who had just finalized a divorce from his wife one day before the attack.
Army prosecutors say Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, is facing multiple counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and domestic violence following the August 6th shooting that left five soldiers wounded inside the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion’s operations facility. All five survived, but the Army has confirmed that one of the victims was Radford’s “intimate partner.”
A Complicated Relationship
According to documents obtained by WSAV, Radford referred to one of the victims as his “husband” just months before the shooting. In May, Radford was arrested for driving under the influence by a Georgia State Patrol trooper. When asked who could take custody of his vehicle, Radford told the trooper the man who arrived on scene was his husband.
However, Liberty County court records show that same man was still legally married to a woman at the time — and was in the middle of divorce proceedings. That divorce was finalized on August 5, just a day before the Fort Stewart shooting.
Investigators now believe Radford and the man were romantically involved, and Army prosecutors have cited that relationship in bringing a domestic violence charge.
Troubled Background
Radford enlisted in 2018 and was serving as a supply sergeant in the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division. Sources told local media that Radford was often bullied for his heavy stutter and was considered “the bottom of the pecking order” in his unit. One former soldier said Radford “wasn’t handling it well” and had become known for “pretty extreme behavior.”
Adding to his troubles, Radford’s father told reporters that his son had complained of racism within his unit and had been seeking a transfer. On top of that, Radford faced a looming court date in Liberty County for his May DUI arrest.
The Attack
On August 6, Radford allegedly entered his workplace armed with a personal handgun and opened fire. Soldiers in the building rushed toward the sound of gunfire, finding smoke-filled hallways and their fellow troops bleeding on the floor. Several soldiers used belts and bare hands to apply life-saving aid before military police arrived to disarm and restrain Radford.
Read More: One of the Fort Stewart shooting victims has been identified
Brig. Gen. John Lubas praised the quick actions of those soldiers, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll personally awarded Meritorious Service Medals to six who stepped in to save lives that day.
Facing Court-Martial
Radford now sits in pretrial confinement at Joint Base Charleston. He faces six counts of attempted murder — five for the wounded soldiers and one for a missed shot — along with multiple aggravated assault charges and the domestic violence charge tied to his alleged romantic partner.
If convicted, he could face life in prison.
For the thousands of soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart, the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River, the shooting remains a stark reminder that the most dangerous threats sometimes come from within the ranks.
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