Six unarmed soldiers are being praised for their bravery in tackling and subduing a shooter at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The incident occurred on Wednesday (August 6), when an active-duty sergeant, Quornelius Samentrio Radford, allegedly opened fire, injuring five fellow service members. Two of the wounded soldiers remain hospitalized, while three have been released.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll honored the soldiers for their quick response. One soldier tackled Radford, while another jumped on top of him to subdue him. Four others provided aid to the injured.
Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, one of the six soldiers awarded a medal for her actions, described the chaotic scene. She was in her office when she heard gunshots and saw smoke in the hallway. "I immediately sprinted over to the soldier and started rendering aid," Taylor said. Her experience as a combat medic and in emergency medical services helped her stay calm during the crisis.
First Sergeant Joshua Arnold, another medal recipient, said his training kicked in when he heard the gunshots. "We rendered aid to those individuals, and shortly after, EMS arrived and continued their jobs," Arnold explained. He emphasized the importance of focusing on helping fellow soldiers in such situations.
The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Mike Sanford, likened the soldiers' response to a battle drill, highlighting their preparedness for any situation. Radford, the accused shooter, is in custody and is expected to be transferred to a military detention center as the investigation continues.
Brig. Gen. John Lubas provided updates on the injured soldiers' conditions. One soldier remains hospitalized at Winn Army Community Hospital and is in high spirits, while another, more seriously injured, is recovering at Savannah Memorial Community Hospital.
Both are expected to make full recoveries.