In the winter of 2022, a tragedy unfolded at the Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia, forever altering the lives of two soldiers and their families. On the morning of December 12, Sergeant Nathan M. Hillman, a 30-year-old male, was fatally shot in what was described as a workplace incident. The shooting took place within a building complex of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, a unit to which Hillman belonged.
The sudden violence sent shockwaves through the military community, prompting a brief lockdown of the installation as authorities responded to the scene.
Sergeant Hillman, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist from Plum, Pennsylvania, had a commendable military career. He had joined the Army in February 2015 and had served one deployment in Afghanistan. His dedication was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals. He had been assigned to the 2nd Brigade at Fort Stewart since July 2021. Beyond his uniform, he was a husband and a loving father to two young daughters.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, fellow soldiers in the area quickly subdued the gunman, preventing further harm. The suspect was identified as Specialist Shay A. Wilson, a 28-year-old infantryman from Cambria Heights, New York, who was also assigned to the same brigade. He allegedly used a privately-owned weapon in the attack. Wilson was taken into custody by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Following the incident, the Army charged Specialist Wilson with one count of murder. While the motive for the shooting was not immediately released, the investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragic event continued. The military justice system began its process to address the loss of a fellow soldier and seek justice for his family. The death of Sergeant Hillman was described by his brigade commander as a 'tragic and unexpected' loss for the military family at Fort Stewart.
