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New Mexico soldier among those honored for jumping into action during Fort Stewart shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As investigators look into what led to an active-duty service member opening fire at Fort Stewart in Georgia on Wednesday, News 13 has learned one of the six soldiers who sprang into action to help is from New Mexico.
Sergeant Aaron Turner is from Farmington and is among the soldiers credited with keeping a tragic situation from being much worse. On Wednesday, a service member opened fire at Fort Stewart injuring five soldiers. But he was stopped before more harm could be done.
'The fast action of these soldiers under stress, under trauma, under fire, absolutely saved lives from being lost,' said Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the United States Army.
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'Training just ended up kicking in at that point. So, it wasn't about my life at that point. It was about the soldiers,' said Sgt. Turner, the soldier from New Mexico who helped during the shooting.
While others tended to the injured, Sgt. Turner is credited with talking down the shooter and disarming him. 'I ended up taking charge by grabbing the barrel and extended magazine at that point,' he said.
The six soldiers were honored on Thursday for their bravery with a meritorious service medal. 'They were unarmed and ran at and tackled an armed person who they knew was actively shooting their buddies, their colleagues, their fellow soldiers,' said Driscoll.
There were counselors at Fort Stewart on Thursday for soldiers and staff. Three of the five injured soldiers have been released from the hospital. Military officials are still investigating a motive for the shooting.
'A sigh of relief being able to know that they take comfort in knowing the teammate was apprehended, but at the same time making sure that their safety and mental health is actually doing well in this trying time,' said Sgt. Turner.
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