A U.S. Army National Guardsman has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of a fellow soldier at Fort Gordon Army base in Augusta, Georgia, authorities said. Natravien Landry, 27, admitted to detectives that he shot Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. after finding him in bed with his ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child.
Background
The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2024, at an apartment complex located on Fort Gordon Army base, formerly known as Fort Eisenhower. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, Landry had reported for drill duty earlier that morning and was on break when he traveled to the woman's home. A witness told federal investigators that Landry, still wearing his military uniform, arrived at the apartment and asked who owned a black truck parked outside before barging through the front door.
Once inside, Landry headed directly toward the bedroom where Stewart was located with the woman. She told investigators they were sleeping when she heard a commotion. Landry struck Stewart four times with the gun before firing the fatal shot. Stewart stumbled from the bedroom and fell down the stairs. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
The Plea
Landry fled the scene after the shooting and was later arrested following a traffic stop. During the arrest, he threw the weapon out of the car window. Investigators found his military uniform inside the vehicle. Landry confessed to shooting Stewart during a Mirandized interview with detectives, authorities said. The woman at the center of the dispute told investigators that Landry had expressed jealousy toward Stewart.
Landry entered his guilty plea last week to second-degree murder in the killing of Stewart, who was stationed at Fort Gordon. As part of the plea agreement, he faces up to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of 10 years behind bars, according to court records. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Stewart's sister, Rasheika Jones, described him as having been "viciously murdered" in a GoFundMe account established to support his family. He left behind a 5-year-old son who was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.
"Andre was a young man starting to build his life," Jones wrote on the fundraising page.
Key Takeaways
- Natravien Landry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Dec. 14, 2024 shooting death of Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. at Fort Gordon Army base
- The shooting occurred after Landry found Stewart in bed with his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child
- Stewart was struck four times with the gun before being shot; he stumbled from the bedroom and fell down stairs before dying at a hospital
- Landry admitted to the killing during a Mirandized interview and faces up to life in prison with a 10-year minimum
What's Next
A sentencing date for Landry has yet to be set. The case remains pending before the court as prosecutors prepare for the hearing where the full terms of his plea agreement will be formally imposed.