UPDATE: 5 soldiers shot before arrest made at Army’s Fort Stewart in Georgia
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Five soldiers were shot Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Georgia, leading to a lockdown at the Army base before the shooter was arrested, officials said.
The conditions of the soldiers and the circumstances of the shooting weren’t immediately clear, nor was the identity of the shooter.
The Army said it’s investigating.
The injured were treated and then moved to Winn Army Community Hospital, base officials said in a Facebook post, adding there’s no threat to the community.
Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday. The shooter was arrested at 11:35 a.m., officials said.
The lockdown lasted about an hour, and three schools just outside the base took steps similar to a lockdown as well, “out of an abundance of caution,” the Liberty County School System said.
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s complex was still locked down.
The Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the “Spartan Brigade,” the Army has called the unit its “most modern land fighting force.”
Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest 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 3rd Infantry Division and family members.
The fort’s three elementary schools are also on lockdown, Community Superintendent Brian Perry told WTOC-TV. The schools have nearly 1,400 students, according to the Department of Defense.
ORIGINAL STORY:
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Parts of the Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia were locked down Wednesday after an active shooter was reported on the sprawling Army post, a spokesperson said.
Fort Stewart said in a Facebook post that “casualties have been reported and the situation is ongoing.” It’s unclear whether casualties include injuries, deaths or both.
“We are currently assessing the situation but we can confirm an active shooter,” Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said.
A post on Fort Stewart’s Facebook page told all personnel in the locked down area to “stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors.”
Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest 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 3rd Infantry Division and family members.
“Due to the lockdown status all gates on Fort Stewart are currently closed,” the fort said on social media.
