Five Soldiers Shot at Fort Stewart Army Base in Georgia, Suspect in Custody
Hinesville, GA – Five U.S. Army soldiers were shot Wednesday morning in an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. The shooter was apprehended by law enforcement, and the base has confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community.
According to a statement from Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield, the shooting occurred in the area of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team at around 10:56 a.m. EST. The base was placed under lockdown at 11:04 a.m., with personnel instructed to stay indoors and secure all windows and doors. The suspect was taken into custody by 11:35 a.m., and the lockdown was partially lifted, though the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area remains closed as investigators process the scene.
All five injured soldiers were treated on-site by emergency personnel before being transported to Winn Army Community Hospital for further medical care. One soldier was transferred to a level one trauma center, though the extent of the injuries remains undisclosed as the investigation continues. Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter or the motive behind the incident, stating that no additional information will be provided until the investigation is complete.
Fort Stewart, home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and approximately 15,000 active-duty soldiers, 16,000 family members, and thousands of civilian employees and retirees, is a critical hub for military operations. The base’s three elementary schools, serving nearly 1,400 students, were placed on lockdown, as were nearby Liberty County and Appling County schools out of an abundance of caution. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools reported no immediate threat to students.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences in a post on X, stating, “As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today’s tragedy at Ft. Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same.” U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Representative Buddy Carter also issued statements, emphasizing their support for the victims and ongoing monitoring of the situation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, with the White House actively monitoring developments. The FBI’s Savannah office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting the Army Criminal Investigation Division as needed.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing challenge of preventing violence on military installations, where strict regulations prohibit soldiers from carrying personal firearms in uniform, a policy some argue leaves personnel vulnerable. This shooting follows a history of violent incidents at U.S. military bases, including the 2009 Fort Hood massacre, where 13 people were killed.
As the investigation unfolds, the Fort Stewart community and the nation await further details on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The Army has urged anyone with additional information to contact law enforcement.
Sources: Information compiled from Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield’s official statements, news reports from NBC News, BBC News, and The Guardian, and posts on X.