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By Livemint Staff
A shooting incident at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Wednesday morning left five U.S. soldiers injured and prompted a swift lockdown of the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River. The suspect, believed to be an active-duty soldier, was arrested within 35 minutes of the first emergency calls.
The attack occurred around 11:00 a.m. inside the complex of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, part of the base’s 3rd Infantry Division. Emergency responders treated the wounded on site before transferring them to Winn Army Community Hospital. Some were later moved to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for further treatment. The soldiers’ conditions have not yet been made public.
At 11:04 a.m., Fort Stewart officials activated a base-wide lockdown. All gates were closed, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for more than 10,000 people on base, including military families and civilian personnel. Three elementary schools within Fort Stewart and nearby public schools also went into lockdown as a precaution.
Videos circulated on social media showing soldiers scrambling for cover as alarms sounded throughout the 280,000-acre facility. By 12:10 p.m., the lockdown was partially lifted, though the area surrounding the incident remained sealed off for investigation.
Military police apprehended the shooter without further violence. Federal and military investigators, including the FBI and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, are working to determine the motive behind the attack. Authorities have not confirmed whether the weapon used was military-issued or privately owned.
Fort Stewart is home to the 3rd Infantry Division, which trains and deploys combat-ready units around the world. The shooting occurred within the “Spartan Brigade,” a 4,200-member armored unit upgraded in 2016 with over 200 modern vehicles.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his concern, stating on social media: “Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today’s tragedy. We are praying for the victims and their families.” The White House also confirmed President Trump had been briefed, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating the administration is closely monitoring the situation.
Though the shooter’s identity and motive remain unknown, authorities credit the rapid response and communication systems at Fort Stewart for preventing a greater tragedy. Community leaders have called for blood donations to help support the ongoing treatment of the wounded.