Army sergeant sentenced to life in prison for Georgia base shootings

A military judge at Fort Stewart sentenced an Army sergeant to life in prison with the possibility of parole Tuesday for shootings that wounded five people at the Georgia base last August. The court-martial convicted the 29-year-old supply sergeant of attempted murder after he opened fire with a personal handgun inside two offices and a conference room.

Four fellow soldiers and his then-fiance were wounded.

Background of the case The sergeant pleaded guilty in March to charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence but maintained he did not intend to kill anyone. Army prosecutors pursued the attempted-murder charges anyway. Witnesses testified that the sergeant walked through the buildings firing at members of his supply unit.

Military police took him into custody after other soldiers restrained and disarmed him.

Sentencing hearing The sentence also includes a dishonorable discharge and reduction in rank to private. Prosecutors had sought life without parole, while defense attorneys argued the shootings occurred during a mental-health crisis and asked for a lighter term.

A doctor from the base hospital testified that one victim was shot in the face and another in the chest. Victims told the court they are still recovering physically and emotionally; two have since left the Army. The sergeant apologized to each victim in a statement read by his attorneys and said he was grateful they survived.