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Soldier stabbed trying to stop assault
web LEONARD RADY COLEMAN
Leonard R. Coleman - photo by Photo provided.

A Fort Stewart soldier was stabbed multiple times Sunday in Long County while he reportedly was trying to help a woman who was being assaulted.

Long County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Tom Sollosi said he received a report Sunday morning regarding a stabbing at Magnolia Springs Mobile Home Park on Sandy Run Road.

According to the investigator, Fort Stewart soldier Charles N. Olmstead was visiting a friend at the mobile home park and went outside around 8 a.m. to smoke a cigarette. At that time, he saw a man nearby who appeared to be assaulting a woman, later identified as Samantha Moore. When Olmstead went to help Moore, the assailant — identified as Fort Stewart soldier Leonard R. Coleman — reportedly stabbed him repeatedly all over his body.

Sollosi said a neighbor put Olmstead in his vehicle and was driving him to the hospital in Hinesville when he saw two law-enforcement cars at a convenience store. The neighbor stopped at the store and sought help from Walthourville Police Officer Wade Long and Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Brazier.

Sollosi said an EMS unit arrived and first responders treated Olmstead. Due to the soldier’s condition, Sollosi said, he immediately was taken by helicopter to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. The investigator said doctors in Savannah operated on the Olmstead, who was in stable condition by 4 p.m. Sunday.

Sollosi said Deputy Donald Bierly and Sgt. Julius Bargeron arrested Coleman immediately after the assaults for aggravated assault against Olmstead and simple battery against Moore.

Coleman was placed in jail and brought before a judge Monday afternoon, Sollosi said.

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