An American soldier was shot by a security guard at the gate to Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany, early on June 25, 2023. The 23-year-old soldier attacked two guards at the main entrance of the barracks following an argument early Sunday morning, German authorities said as part of their preliminary findings. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — An American soldier was in stable condition Monday after being shot the day before by security guards following an incident outside Smith Barracks in Baumholder, U.S. and German officials said.

The 23-year-old soldier attacked two guards at the main entrance of the U.S. Army barracks following an argument shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday, according to an initial investigation by German authorities.

One of the guards then shot the soldier in the thigh, German police said Sunday in a statement.

The soldier’s name was not released. However, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command described him as a male who serves with the 16th Sustainment Brigade.

The soldier was transferred by ambulance to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Monday after he was initially treated at the scene and a nearby German hospital, the 21st TSC said.

The soldier had been having a dispute with a woman who fled toward the gate, Bad Kreuznach chief prosecutor Gerd Deutschler said in a statement Monday.

The soldier ignored orders to back away and remained aggressive after the guards drew their batons and fired a warning shot, according to the prosecutor’s office. The soldier then tried to grab the guard’s gun before being shot, Deutschler’s statement said.

German police and U.S. military police initially responded to the incident, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz said in a statement Monday.

“Our number one priority is the safety of all of our people,” garrison commander Col. Reid Furman said in the statement. “Our emergency responders are well-trained and our partnership with local [police] is ironclad, (and) we are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.”

The Army Criminal Investigation Division is assisting German police and declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Pond Security, which provides gate guards at the barracks and other U.S. installations in the region, did not respond Monday to a request for comment.