Five soldiers were shot and wounded on Wednesday as a shooter opened fire on the Fort Stewart military base in south-east Georgia.
Parts of the base had been locked down earlier on Wednesday after a shooter was reported on the sprawling army post, a spokesperson said.
“Five soldiers were shot today in an active shooter incident in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. All soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. There is no active threat to the community,” the base said in a Facebook post.
Details were still emerging on Wednesday afternoon amid reports that a shooter had been apprehended.
“The installation was locked down at 11.04am and law enforcement is on the scene at the time,” an earlier Facebook post read. “Casualties have been reported and the situation is ongoing.”
Located about 40 miles south-west of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest army post east of the Mississippi River. It’s home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the army’s Third Infantry Division and family members.
“Due to the lockdown status all gates on Fort Stewart are currently closed,” the fort said on social media.
Savannah-based news outlet WTOC TV reported early on Wednesday afternoon that four people have been taken to the hospital and that the police are familiar with the identity of a suspect, but the Guardian has not yet independently verified these details.
Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, posted on X saying: “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. 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.”
He was referring to his wife, Marty Kemp, the first lady of Georgia, and the couple have three daughters.
More details soon …
