Politics · United States · 1 day ago
Fort Hood survivor backs Hasan execution but questions livestream
Alonzo Lunsford, a former US Army sergeant, survived the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood in Texas, where Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32.
Lunsford was shot seven times and says he has forgiven Hasan, but still supports his execution by firing squad.
The Pentagon announced that the execution is planned for December 3, 2026, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the public will be able to watch by livestream.
Lunsford plans to attend in person, but warns that broadcasting the killing could turn it into entertainment and affect younger viewers.
He says survivors and relatives of those killed should be able to watch if they choose.
Legal experts say the livestream could face court challenges, so it may not go ahead.
If carried out, the execution would be the first US military execution since 1961.
Alonzo Lunsford, a former Army staff sergeant who survived the 2009 Fort Hood shooting after being shot seven times, supports executing Nidal Hasan by firing squad.
Lunsford says he has forgiven Hasan, but believes forgiveness does not mean Hasan should avoid punishment.
Lunsford plans to attend the execution and objects to showing it live to the general public as entertainment, particularly because of its possible effect on children.
The Pentagon says Hasan’s execution is planned for December 3, 2026, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended allowing the public to watch by livestream.
Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 in the 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
The livestream plan has drawn criticism from politicians and the UN human rights office, while legal experts say it could be challenged in court.
- Who
- Alonzo Lunsford, Nidal Hasan, and US defense officials
- What
- Lunsford supports Hasan’s execution by firing squad but opposes livestreaming it for general public viewing.
- When
- The execution is planned for December 3, 2026; the Fort Hood attack took place on November 5, 2009.
- Where
- Fort Hood, Texas; the planned execution is to take place at the Army post.
- Why
- Lunsford says the firing squad is fitting punishment, but that broadcasting the killing risks turning it into entertainment and could affect younger viewers.
Alonzo Lunsford
Pete Hegseth and supporters of the livestream
Whether the execution should be livestreamed
Alonzo Lunsford
Lunsford opposes showing the execution in full to the general public, warning that it should not be viewed for entertainment and may affect younger viewers.
Pete Hegseth and supporters of the livestream
Hegseth has defended public access to the livestream, saying Americans should understand the consequences of Hasan’s crimes.
Who should be able to watch
Alonzo Lunsford
Lunsford says adults can decide for themselves and believes survivors and relatives of those killed should be able to watch; he does not want children watching the livestream.
Pete Hegseth and supporters of the livestream
The reported plan is to make the execution available to the public through a livestream.
I've forgiven him because my faith does not allow me to heal and continue unless I forgive that man
It's not a spectacle
I think the method is befitting
It should not be happening in America
Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood, killing 13 people and wounding 32, including Alonzo Lunsford.
The Pentagon announced Hasan’s planned execution by Army firing squad after a recommendation by Pete Hegseth and approval by Donald Trump.
The planned livestream was announced, prompting criticism.
The UN human rights office and politicians voiced objections, while Lunsford discussed his views on the execution and livestream.
Hasan’s execution by firing squad is planned for Fort Hood.
- Planned execution date
- December 3, 2026
- Attack date
- November 5, 2009
- Deaths and injuries
- 13 people were killed and 32 were wounded
- Lunsford’s injuries
- He was shot seven times
- Attack location
- Fort Hood, Texas
Sources
Veteran shot 7 times in Fort Hood massacre has a warning for Americans planning to watch execution
Survivor of Fort Hood massacre says he agrees with executing terrorist by firing squad - but opposes Trump's plan to livestream the killing
Fort Hood survivor supports gunman's execution by firing squad but questions livestream
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