Shooter in custody after 5 soldiers shot at Georgia army base

A press conference about the Fort Stewart shooting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, is expected to answer reporters’ questions in a little more than an hour.

An all-clear has been issued and gates have been opened at Fort Stewart, Wright Army Airfield and Evans Army Airfield.

Former state lawmaker and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams thanked first responders for their fast work in responding to the Fort Stewart shooting.

“Praying for the wounded soldiers and their families following today’s horrific shooting at Fort Stewart,” the noted voting rights advocate said in a statement. “Grateful to the first responders who rushed to the scene and saved lives.”

Abrams was the two-time Democratic nominee for the governor’s chair, losing in 2018 and 2022 to Brian Kemp. Abrams came within 1.4 percentage points of Kemp in the 2018 race.

An Army sergeant was killed at Fort Stewart in 2022.

Sgt. Nathan M. Hillman, a 30-year-old from Plum, Pennsylvania, and an Afghan veteran, died during the shooting on Dec. 12, 2022.

Spc. Shay A. Wilson is facing a murder charge and his case is still pending.

Secretary Kristi Noem said she’s been briefed on the shooting and will be closely monitoring the situation.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart,” she said in a statement, adding that Homeland Security “is actively monitoring the situation on the ground.”

“We are praying for the victims and their families,” she added.

As civilian and military police sped by him at Fort Stewart, truck driver Ron Peavey said he had an eerie 9/11-like feeling in his gut.

Much of the lockdown at Fort Stewart was lifted early Wednesday afternoon, in the wake of the shooting of five soldiers.

“The installation was locked down at 11:04 a.m. and Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m.,” according to a base statement.

But the area used by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team remains closed as investigators process the scene. 

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said that he is closely monitoring the situation at Fort Stewart.

“I’m heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. I’m monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families,” Warnock said in a post on X.

Five soldiers were shot “in an active shooter incident in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area,” the base said.

All of the soldiers “were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment” and there is “no active threat to the community,” according to a base statement.

The shooter was taken into custody at 11:35 a.m. EDT.

Federal authorities from nearby Savannah offered their help to Army investigators.

Agents are “aware of the incident at Fort Stewart” and are “coordinating with Army Criminal Investigation,” the FBI said.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he’s in close touch with police on the scene at Fort Stewart.

“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,” Kemp said in a statement.

“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.”

Nearby Liberty County Schools have also ordered a lockdown in the wake of the base shooting.

Button Gwinnett and Joseph Martin Elementary Schools and Snelson Golden Middle School are on “soft lockdown out of an abundance of caution,” the district said.

Today was the first day of school in the district.

Gunfire erupted at Fort Stewart in Georgia this morning, prompting the base commander to lock down facilities in the wake of this “active shooter” incident.

“Fort Stewart is in a lockdown status due to an active shooter incident in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area,” according to a Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield statement.

“The installation was locked down at 11:04 a.m. and law enforcement is on the scene at the time. Casualties have been reported and the situation is ongoing.”

The army base is about 40 miles southwest of Savannah.