Fort Stewart: 5 soldiers shot, suspect apprehended at Georgia Army base

FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) — Five soldiers were shot Wednesday during a reported active shooter situation at Fort Stewart in Georgia, authorities have confirmed. The suspected shooter has been taken into custody, and there is no longer a threat to the community, authorities said.

The soldiers received treatment on-site and have been moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment, officials shared at around 12:40 p.m. ET. While there is a hospital at Fort Stewart, it is not a level 1 trauma center, Nexstar’s WSAV reports. Memorial Health is about 50 minutes from the Army base.

No additional information regarding their conditions was provided but officials are expected to give an update late Wednesday afternoon.

Law enforcement was first notified of a possible shooting at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. ET Wednesday. Roughly 40 minutes later, the suspected shooter was taken into custody.

The shooting prompted lockdowns in the 2nd Brigade area, separate from the main Fort Stewart area, which is located roughly 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. The nearby Wright Army Airfield was also placed on lockdown, as were schools on the Army base and in Appling County, some 50 miles away.

Officials said there was no immediate threat to area schools.

While other lockdowns were lifted after 12 p.m. ET, authorities say the lockdown remains in effect at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex.

The incident is now under investigation.

“No additional information will be released until the investigation is complete,” officials said.

“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,” Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said in a statement. “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.”

Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. It’s home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and family members. Early last year, officials at the base discussed exercises that were being held to test the posts’ ability to respond to emergencies and threats, including an active shooter hostage situation.

“All in an effort to hone our skills, to learn how to work together, and to communicate during times of tragedy or emergencies like we are simulating here,” Fort Stewart’s Deputy to the Garrison Commander, Steven Hood, told WSAV.

The Associated Press contributed to this developing story.