FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — An Army sergeant faced conviction for attempted murder on Thursday following a shooting spree last summer at a southeastern Georgia military base that left five individuals injured.
According to local news reports, a military judge at Fort Stewart delivered the guilty verdict in Sgt. Quornelius Radford’s court-martial. Army prosecutors argued that Radford targeted the leaders of his supply unit, using a personal handgun for the attack that took place in August last year.
The 29-year-old sergeant injured four comrades and his then-fiancé, Raekwon Smith. Smith, who testified over the two-day trial, recounted following Radford onto Fort Stewart, fearing he might harm himself. He claimed Radford shot him in the torso before moving into the unit’s office building to continue his assault.
In March, Radford confessed to the shootings, pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence. Despite his admission, he maintained that he had no intention of killing anyone, prompting Army prosecutors to continue pursuing attempted murder charges.
Witnesses during the trial depicted Radford’s movements through two offices and a conference room as he attacked four soldiers. However, he reportedly instructed others to vacate the area, as reported by WSAV-TV. His rampage was halted when military police arrested him after fellow soldiers managed to restrain and disarm him.
A radiologist who examined X-rays of the soldiers’ injuries testified one was shot in the face and another in the chest, while bullets stuck other victims in the back and abdomen. Dr. Morgan Williamson said any of those wounds could have been fatal, WTOC-TV reported.
Prosecutors argued that Radford knew from his military firearms training never to shoot at anyone unless he meant to kill them.
Defense attorneys said Radford was suicidal and opened fire to provoke a showdown with police, hoping they would kill him.
“Radford only wanted one person to die that day, himself,” said Lt. Col. Dylan Mack, one of Radford’s Army lawyers.
Radford opted for his trial to be decided by a military judge rather than a jury of soldiers. The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Monday. Under military law, attempted murder carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment.
The largest Army post east of the Mississippi River, Fort Stewart is home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. It is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah.
Radford served as a supply sergeant in the division’s 2nd Armored Brigade. Army records show he enlisted in 2018.