Gunfire shattered a routine morning at Fort Stewart in Georgia, leaving five soldiers wounded and a base community stunned. In the chaos, six service members reacted without hesitation—running toward danger, confronting an armed assailant, and administering critical aid that Army leaders say saved lives.

The suspect, Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, allegedly used a personal 9mm Glock to open fire inside the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s area shortly before 11 a.m., according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, as reported by CNN. Authorities say Radford first shot a co-worker in the chest before wounding four others. Witnesses quickly intervened, subduing him until military police arrived.

Six soldiers received the Meritorious Service Medal for stopping the Fort Stewart shooter.

Immediate Action Under Fire

Staff Sgt. Aaron Turner recalled spotting Radford in a hooded sweatshirt, handgun in hand. Rather than take cover, Turner approached, speaking to him before grabbing the weapon.

“I was able to disarm him, drop the magazine and eject the round,” Turner told The Guardian.

Master Sgt. Justin Thomas helped restrain Radford while other soldiers secured the area.

Nearby, Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, a combat medic, heard someone shout about gunfire. Smoke filled the hallway. She found a wounded soldier on the floor and immediately began treatment.

“I sprinted over… and started rendering aid,” Taylor told BBC News.

Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco and Sgt. Eve Rodarte, also medics, joined in, controlling bleeding until paramedics arrived. First Sgt. Joshua Arnold, who had been meeting with an officer when the shots rang out, ran toward the scene to assist.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll awarded the six the Meritorious Service Medal the following day.

“They ran into battle… took down the assailant, and then took care of their comrades,” Driscoll said, praising their “heroism shown under fire.”

The attack injured five service members, two of whom remain hospitalized.

The Wounded and Their Recovery

Three of the five injured soldiers were released from hospital within a day. Two female soldiers remained under care—one at Winn Army Community Hospital, the other at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Both are expected to recover, though one faces a longer healing process, Lubas told NBC News.

Suspect’s Background and Allegations

Radford, an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, had not deployed to combat. His military record contained no documented behavioral issues, though he was arrested for DUI in May—a fact his chain of command only learned after the shooting. Friends told NBC News that Radford had been bullied for a stutter since early in his Army career. His father said Radford complained about racism at the base and had sought a transfer.

The morning of the attack, Radford allegedly sent a message to an aunt saying he loved everyone and would “be in a better place” because he was “about to do something,” according to BBC News. The Army has not commented on these claims, citing the ongoing investigation.

Security and Next Steps

How Radford brought a personal firearm onto base remains under investigation. Carrying private weapons is generally prohibited under military regulations. The Army Criminal Investigation Division and FBI are jointly handling the case. Radford remains in pretrial confinement and is expected to face court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, CNN reports.

For those who witnessed the events, the focus remains on the swift, coordinated response. Lubas likened the soldiers’ actions to a “battle drill” executed instinctively.

In the words of Turner, “It wasn’t about my life at that point. It was about the soldiers.”