A suspect has been taken into custody after a shooting incident at the United States Army’s Fort Stewart in Georgia, leaving five soldiers injured. The military facility was placed on temporary lockdown after reports of an active shooter emerged on Wednesday.
According to Fort Stewart officials, law enforcement responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area at 10:56 AM ET. The base was locked down shortly after 11:04 AM, and the alleged shooter was apprehended at 11:35 AM. The lockdown lasted for approximately one hour.
The five wounded soldiers were treated at the site of the shooting before being transferred to Winn Army Community Hospital. While the identities of the soldiers and the suspect have not been disclosed, authorities confirmed that there is no active threat to the community.
In response to the incident, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his sadness, saying, “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.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation.
The incident prompted a precautionary lockdown at three nearby schools – Diamond, Kessler, and Murray Schools – as a safety measure, although there was no immediate threat to the schools.
Fort Stewart, located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, is the largest US Army post east of the Mississippi River and is home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and their families. The Army has launched an investigation into the incident, and further details are awaited.