In a tense courtroom setting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, an Army sergeant faced a military judge on charges relating to a shooting incident that left five individuals injured. Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who stood accused of attempted murder among other serious offenses, has entered a plea of not guilty as he awaits a court-martial scheduled for June.
Sgt. Radford, aged 28, is implicated in the August 6 shooting at the military base, where he allegedly used a personal firearm against members of his supply unit. The incident reportedly wounded four soldiers and a civilian, identified as Radford’s romantic partner, before he was subdued by fellow soldiers and handed over to military authorities.
The brief arraignment, lasting 15 minutes, occurred one week after Army prosecutors moved the case to a general court-martial, a legal proceeding designated for the most severe military offenses. Radford faces multiple charges, including six counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault, with one count concerning a missed shot.
Domestic violence charges also accompany the shooting allegations, as court documents identify one of the victims as Radford’s “intimate partner.” The Army has opted not to release the names of those injured, and their identities remain undisclosed in the public charging documents.
Details from the charges reveal that three victims suffered substantial injuries, including two with gunshot wounds to the chest and another shot in the abdomen. Attempted murder under military law carries the potential for a life sentence.
Radford, who is currently detained at a Navy brig in Charleston, South Carolina, waived his right to a preliminary investigative hearing, a military equivalent to a civilian grand jury. During the arraignment, Col. Gregory Batdorff, the presiding judge, confirmed Radford understood the implications of waiving this right. “Yes, your honor,” Radford affirmed in response.
The defense team has not yet decided if a judge or a jury of soldiers will deliberate on the evidence during the forthcoming trial. Since the incident, Radford has remained in pretrial confinement.
Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, hosts the 3rd Infantry Division, where Radford serves as a supply sergeant in the 2nd Armored Brigade. His military service began in 2018.
Witnesses to the shooting described chaotic scenes within an office building, with smoke and injured individuals scattered across the premises. Brig. Gen. John Lubas praised the prompt actions of soldiers who rendered immediate first aid, often using improvised methods to control bleeding.
Following the incident, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited the base, awarding Meritorious Service Medals to six soldiers who played a key role in restraining Radford and assisting the injured.
