Georgia Military Base Shooting: Suspect Known for Hard Work and Past Bullying

A soldier accused of opening fire at Fort Stewart in Georgia is remembered by colleagues as a dedicated worker who had faced bullying due to a speech impediment.

Staff who served with Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, revealed that he was subjected to teasing over his speech during training at Fort Lee in 2018. One former associate, Sgt. Cameron Barrett, mentioned, “He was bullied a lot.”

Despite his professionalism, Radford’s behavior reportedly changed after being mocked, with witnesses describing him as becoming quiet and subdued. Sgt. Carlos Coleman noted, “He never showed anger before, so this was surprising.” Radford’s silence after being ridiculed was unusual for those who knew him.

Suspect in Fort Stewart shooting escorted by military police. — Radford being escorted to jail in Hinesville, Ga., after the incident.

Colleagues shared that Radford was a hard worker and enjoyed light-hearted moments during breaks. His past included a Facebook post on January 28, where he expressed grief over the loss of a loved one in a car accident, saying he used alcohol to cope with the pain.

Radford also faced legal issues; he was arrested in May for driving under the influence near Fort Stewart. His father, Eddie Radford, stated that his son had been seeking a transfer off the base due to ongoing racial discrimination.

On the day of the shooting, Radford reportedly sent a cryptic message to his aunt, indicating he was about to “go do something” and that he would be in a better place.

Suspect in custody after shooting at Fort Stewart. — Radford was subdued by six unarmed soldiers after injuring five others during the attack.

During the incident, Radford wounded five fellow soldiers before being tackled and restrained by six unarmed personnel. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital and are expected to recover. The soldiers who stopped the attack were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal the following day.