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The Fort Stewart Shooting in Georgia has shocked the U.S. military community, after authorities say a 28-year-old Army sergeant opened fire on his fellow soldiers.

The shooting rampage ended when a soldier tackled and disarmed the shooter.

 Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who has been stationed at the base for about three years, was arrested on August 6 and is now in custody at the Liberty County Jail in Hinesville, Georgia.

 He will face charges in military court.

A Foreboding Text Message Before Fort Stewart Shooting

Before the shooting began, Radford allegedly sent a cryptic text message to his aunt. “Soon,” he wrote, “I will be in a better place,” according to The New York Times and NBC News reports.

On Wednesday morning, Radford, an automated logistics sergeant originally from Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly opened fire on his unit with a handgun. Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, told reporters:

“What we know is this soldier the shooting occurred at the soldier’s place of work. It did involve his co-workers. We’re still not certain about the motivations.”

Five soldiers were wounded and hospitalized in stable condition. Officials credit an unarmed soldier for tackling Radford and another for pinning him down until police arrived — likely preventing further casualties.

Motive: Bullying, Loss, and Struggles

Former Army colleagues told MSN that Radford had been bullied during his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee in 2018 due to a speech impediment.

“It was easy for those people to make fun of him for the way he spoke,” said Sgt. Carlos Coleman. “After that, he really didn’t speak much. I’ve never seen him angry. That’s why I’m so surprised.”

Radford’s Facebook posts also reveal personal grief. In January, he wrote about losing a loved one in a wrong-way crash, admitting he drank to “make that pain feeling go away.” His father, Eddie Radford, told the Times that his son had also complained of racism at the base and had sought a transfer.

Military and Legal Response

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll commended the bravery of those who intervened:

“These American soldiers highlight exactly what the Army has meant to this country.”

Radford’s case will be handled by the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, per CNN. Charges are being prepared, and he will be tried in a military court.