A former U.S. Army National Guard soldier has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting an Army sergeant at a Georgia military base after finding him with his former girlfriend, federal prosecutors said.
Natravien R. Landry, 27, of Abbeville, Louisiana, pleaded guilty in federal court to second-degree murder and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in the death of U.S. Army Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr.
The shooting happened on Dec. 14, 2024, at an apartment complex on what was then Fort Eisenhower in Augusta, Georgia. The installation has since returned to the name Fort Gordon.
According to federal prosecutors and court records, Landry was on drill duty earlier that morning and went to the woman’s home during a break. Authorities said he noticed a black truck outside the apartment and asked who owned it before entering the residence.
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Prosecutors said Landry went upstairs and found Stewart, who was dating the woman at the time. The woman told investigators she and Stewart had been sleeping when she heard a commotion. Two children were also present in the apartment during the incident.
Authorities said Landry knew Stewart was unarmed when he shot him once in the chest. Stewart was later pronounced dead.
After the shooting, Landry fled the apartment and left the military installation, prosecutors said. He was later arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 85 by the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Landry threw the firearm from the vehicle, but deputies later recovered it. Testing confirmed that the handgun was used in the shooting. Prosecutors said Landry later admitted to the shooting during a Mirandized interview.
The guilty plea means Landry has accepted responsibility for the federal charges, but he has not yet been sentenced. Under the plea agreement, he faces at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life. Federal sentences do not include parole.
U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap said the guilty plea marked a step toward justice and credited Army investigators and prosecutors for securing a conviction.
The case has drawn attention because it involved a fatal shooting inside a military community and because children were present at the time. One of the children was reportedly Stewart’s 5-year-old son, according to family statements cited in local reporting.
Stewart’s family described his death as a devastating loss. His sister previously wrote that he had been “viciously murdered” and said he left behind a young son.
The shooting also briefly placed the Georgia military base under heightened concern as authorities responded to the incident and searched for Landry after he fled. He was taken into custody later the same day.
The legal process now moves to sentencing. A date has not yet been set.
The case reflects how domestic disputes can escalate into deadly violence, even within heavily controlled environments such as military installations. It also underscores the role of federal jurisdiction when serious crimes occur on military bases.
Landry’s sentencing will determine how much prison time he receives. Prosecutors are expected to argue from the facts of the case, including the use of a firearm, the presence of children and the fatal outcome. The defense may present mitigating factors before the judge imposes sentence.
For Stewart’s family and the military community at Fort Gordon, the plea brings the case closer to resolution but does not undo the loss.
Why It Matters
The case matters because it involved the killing of a U.S. Army sergeant on a military installation, where service members and families expect a high level of safety and security.
It also highlights the seriousness of domestic-related violence and how quickly jealousy, conflict and access to a firearm can lead to a fatal outcome.
What Comes Next
Landry will be sentenced in federal court at a later date. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life.
Federal officials said there is no parole in the federal system, meaning the sentence imposed by the judge will carry significant long-term consequences.
A former National Guard soldier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of U.S. Army Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. at Fort Gordon in Georgia.
National Guardsman pleads guilty to fatal shooting of soldier he found in bed with his ex-girlfriend https://t.co/FWlhmklvpX pic.twitter.com/V6G7YKWtNy
— New York Post (@nypost) June 15, 2026
