Fort Stewart shooting case: Trial begins for soldier accused in August shooting

FORT STEWART, Ga. (WTOC) - The military trial of Fort Stewart soldier Quornelius Radford began with prosecutors and defense attorneys offering sharply different explanations for a shooting that wounded multiple soldiers last August.

Prosecutors argued Radford intentionally shot multiple soldiers at close range inside a Fort Stewart building, targeting victims who were his superiors. Injuries included gunshot wounds to chests, stomachs and faces.

Defense attorneys countered that Radford was in a severe mental health crisis and intended only to kill himself.

“Why do you shoot someone in the stomach, chest or face without the intent to kill them?” prosecutors asked during opening statements, framing intent as the central question for the judge.

Government alleges deliberate targeting

According to the government, evidence will show Radford fired at victims from close range and later admitted his actions during a CID interview.

Prosecutors told the judge Radford described shooting individuals one by one, allegedly saying words to the effect of “bang, shot my first sergeant” for each person he targeted.

Prosecutors said Radford sought out leadership offices at the base, allegedly asking “good morning, is everyone having a good day?” when he appeared in doorways before opening fire.

The government argued the shooting was not random and that Radford had opportunities to continue shooting others but chose who he targeted.

They referenced Radford telling other soldiers, to leave and go home, that “this didnt concern them”.

Defense focuses on mental health crisis

Defense attorneys argued the only person Radford intended to kill was himself and said the judge must look at the totality of the circumstances rather than assume intent simply because a firearm was used.

Defense attorneys said Radford was spiraling mentally and argued evidence will show he was experiencing a mental health crisis rather than carrying out a premeditated plan to murder others.

Friend testified about morning phone call

The first witness, Darius Crenshaw, testified he knew Radford through the Army after meeting him around 2018.

Crenshaw said Radford had complained about leadership issues and described treatment he viewed as bullying. Crenshaw said Radford had discussed transferring to possible assignments at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Crenshaw testified he received a phone call from Radford on the morning of the shooting. He said Radford made statements indicating he was tired and unhappy and said words indicating that by the time others arrived, it would be too late.

Crenshaw testified he contacted military authorities and reported concerns that a soldier might be attempting suicide. He said he felt those concerns were not initially taken seriously.

Fiancé describes events before shooting

Raekwon Smith testified he met Radford and the two became engaged in April 2025. He said they were living together at the time of the shooting.

Smith testified there was no conflict between them immediately before the shooting, but a discussion about their relationship-that continued into the morning.

He said the couple had been discussing matters related to the anniversary of Radford’s mother’s death and that Radford appeared emotionally affected.

According to Smith, Radford said he was tired, needed space and left their apartment. Smith testified he became concerned when calls went unanswered and attempted to follow his vehicle onto the base, thinking his fiance was going to commit suicide.

Smith testified he followed Radford’s car and tried to stop his vehicle before Radford shot him in the stomach.

Smith testified that after the shooting he believed Radford intended to kill himself.

Alleged post-arrest statement

The judge heard testimony about an alleged confession from Radford after his arrest in which he said “they didn’t believe me, brother. I told my unit I wanted to kill myself and they didn’t believe me. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I wanted to take as much life away from them as I can.”

Supervisory Special Agent Christopher Dowling testified he was the on-call CID supervisory special agent at the time of the shooting. He said Radford was transported directly from the scene to an interview room.

Master sergeant describes being shot in her office

Master Sgt. Jetter testified she was in her office having a meeting with platoon sergeants when Radford approached the doorway.

According to her testimony, Radford stood in the doorway, said good morning and asked how everyone was doing before pulling a black handgun from his hoodie pocket and aiming it at her head.

Jetter said they were less than 10 feet apart and she was looking down the barrel. She fell to the floor and hid behind her desk.

Another sergeant in the room, Sgt. Luis Garza, pushed Radford out of the office and closed the door. The three people in the office then heard more gunshots.

Jetter said Garza had also been shot. She said she could feel blood running from her stomach. She testified people in the room called 911 but the calls did not get through.

Jetter testified Radford moved into her unit in January 2025. She said their only argument was during a field exercise in February 2025 when Radford said he did not want to be in the field because he had physical therapy. Jetter said the doctor had cleared him but she would take him to his appointment.

She testified both raised their voices during the argument and Radford said he did not like how he was being talked to.

Jetter said Radford later complained he did not want to go to Bahrain because he was having family issues. She said there was also discussion of his issues with a speech impediment, including a stutter Radford has.

Jetter testified she had no indication Radford had anything against her or why she would be the intended target of this shooting

Sergeant describes Radford’s demeanor during shooting

Staff Sgt. Lewis Garza testified Radford was out of uniform and stood out immediately when he entered the doorway of the office.

He said everyone was confused, especially by what Radford said, and that he was so close to Radford he could touch him. Garza said Radford was soft smiling.

Garza testified the shooting happened fast but that Radford fully extended his arm. He said he attempted to call 911 after he called his wife and did not get an answer from 911.

Additional victims describe shooting

Sgt. Jones testified he was sitting next to Garza when the shooting happened. He said Radford aggressively said good morning and asked if they were having a good day. Jones said Radford had a smirk on his face when pointing a gun.

Jones said he never saw any signs that Radford was struggling prior to that day.

Specialist Gavin Bregnor testified he was next door during the shooting and had only had brief prior conversations with Radford previously. He said Radford shot into their office and walked off afterward.

Bregnor said his coworker was shot and testified his friend said “I just want to see my daughter, I just want to see my daughter.”

Staff Sgt. Orissa Franz testified Radford walked into the orderly room and shot her. She said they had only spoken once when she processed him at Fort Stewart.

Franz said she was shot from about 10 feet away and the bullet went in her tricep and through the side of her body. She testified the bullet was still in her back and had not been removed.

Abdul Latifu testified he was shot in the face on the left side under his eye. He said he was in a conference room down the hallway when he heard gunshots and went to hide in a closet.

Latifu testified he opened a door thinking it was a closet but it was a door to the hallway. He said Radford was right there when he opened the door and shot him in the face at close range.

Witness describes encounter outside building

Staff Sgt. Isaiah Grant testified he worked near Radford previously and had seen him at physical therapy the day of the shooting. He said he saw Radford outside walking by him and two friends.

Grant testified they joked with Radford about wearing a black hoodie because it was August and hot outside.

According to Grant, Radford told them “not today, y’all go home. I already shot Jones. I don’t know if I hit him or not.”

Grant testified Radford brandished his weapon at the group but never pointed it at them. He said he then called his first sergeant in a panic after what he’s seen and heard silence on the phone because she had already been shot, then heard screaming.

Radford wrote several notes to his attorneys during the first day of trial but never turned around.

The Prosecutor’s witnesses are expected to wrap up around lunch time Wednesday, then it is the Defense’s turn.

We will have coverage from the military courtroom through the end of trial.