One of the soldiers who sprang into action in the moments after a suspect opened fire at Fort Stewart on Wednesday explained in his own words what he heard and did during the attack.
US Army 1st Sergeant Joshua Arnold, one of the six soldiers awarded medals for responding to the shooting, said when he first heard the gunshots, it took a moment for him to realize what was happening – but then his training kicked in.
“I started yelling through the hallways, ‘That was a gunshot,’” Arnold said.
He said he and other combat medics responded. “We rendered aid to those individuals, and shortly after, EMS arrived and continued their jobs,” he said.
The gunshots were being fired by a fellow service member, but Arnold said he didn’t think about that in the moment.
“You don’t really know how to process that in that moment,” Arnold said, adding that he instead focused on taking care of the people around him.
In the aftermath of the attack, Arnold said he’s focused on helping his fellow soldiers.
“Of course, friends were shot. Bad things happen, and I’m going to continue to take care of my soldiers and continue to move forward,” he said.