At least five soldiers were wounded Wednesday in an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart, the U.S. Army’s largest installation east of the Mississippi River. The base was temporarily locked down as military and local law enforcement responded to the shooting in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area.
A suspect was taken into custody just over half an hour after the first reports, according to officials, who confirmed there is now “no active threat to the community.”
Incident Timeline
The U.S. Army said the first calls came in at 10:56 a.m. local time. Fort Stewart issued a base-wide lockdown at 11:04 a.m., and the suspect was apprehended by 11:35 a.m.
“Lock down your facility immediately, stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors,” officials warned in an earlier alert issued before the threat was contained. “Keep telephone lines open and report accountability to your leadership.”
The base reported that the wounded soldiers were treated on site before being transported to a nearby Army hospital. No details about their conditions have been released.
Government and Law Enforcement Response
President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who posted on social media that the administration is “monitoring the situation closely.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also weighed in, saying he is in contact with state and military authorities. “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,” Kemp wrote on social media.
The FBI’s Savannah office confirmed it is coordinating with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division. Georgia State Police are assisting in securing the perimeter of the facility.
Location and Background
Fort Stewart spans nearly 280,000 acres and is home to more than 8,800 people, according to the most recent census data. Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah near the Atlantic coast, the base sits just outside the town of Hinesville.
It is home to several Army units, including the 3rd Infantry Division. The shooting occurred within the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area of the installation, according to military officials.
Ongoing Investigation
The Army confirmed that the shooting is under investigation, but officials have declined to release additional information about the suspect, a possible motive, or the conditions of the injured.
“This remains an active investigation, and further details will be made available when appropriate,” Army officials said in a statement.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked concern among military families and residents of the surrounding area. While no civilians were reported injured, many community members reported hearing sirens and receiving lockdown alerts on their phones during the mid-morning hours.
Local officials and military leadership have urged the public to await verified updates and to avoid spreading speculation online as the investigation continues.
