Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Trump Approves Firing Squad for Fort Hood Shooter Hasan
Nidal Hasan was an Army psychiatrist who opened fire at Fort Hood in 2009.
Thirteen people were killed, and reports say about 30 or 32 others were wounded.
A military jury convicted Hasan and sentenced him to death in 2013.
President Donald Trump has approved an execution by firing squad after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended it.
One report gives December 3 as the execution date, while other reports say the Army secretary will set the schedule.
The execution has not been consistently reported as scheduled across the articles.
Hasan may be able to seek further legal review.
If the execution happens, it would be the first US military execution since 1961.
President Donald Trump approved a US Army firing-squad execution for former Army major Nidal Malik Hasan, following a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hasan was convicted in 2013 of killing 13 people and attempting to kill others in the November 5, 2009, Fort Hood shooting.
Reports generally say 32 people were wounded, though some accounts describe the total as more than 30 or give a different number.
One report says acting Army Secretary Adam Telle set the execution for December 3 at Fort Hood; other reports say the Army secretary will determine the time and place.
If carried out, it would be the first US military execution since 1961; reports also note that legal proceedings could affect whether or when it proceeds.
- Who
- Nidal Malik Hasan, whose execution by firing squad was approved by President Donald Trump after a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- What
- The US military plans to execute Hasan by firing squad for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting; one report gives December 3 as the date.
- When
- The approval was announced on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to reports; one article says the execution is set for December 3, but others do not confirm a date.
- Where
- The shooting occurred at Fort Hood, Texas. One report says the execution is set to take place there; Hasan is held at the US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
- Why
- Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and attempting to kill others in the November 5, 2009, attack.
Opponents and legal concerns
Administration and execution proponents
Whether capital punishment should proceed
Opponents and legal concerns
Death Penalty Action opposes capital punishment and criticized the decision. One report also says Hasan could seek a civilian federal habeas corpus appeal.
Administration and execution proponents
The Trump administration approved the execution after Hegseth's recommendation; Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described it as a moment of judgment for Hasan.
Execution method and process
Opponents and legal concerns
Reports describe concerns about lethal-injection procedures and note that legal review may delay or affect the execution.
Administration and execution proponents
The administration approved execution by firing squad. The Army secretary is identified in most reports as responsible for setting its time and place.
- Approved method
- US Army firing squad
- Person sentenced
- Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army major and psychiatrist
- Attack date
- November 5, 2009
- Attack location
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Deaths and injuries
- 13 people were killed; reports most commonly cite 32 wounded, while some say more than 30
- Military sentence
- A military jury sentenced Hasan to death in 2013
- Execution schedule
- One article reports December 3 at Fort Hood; other accounts say the Army secretary will set the time and place
- Historical significance
- If carried out, it would be the first US military execution since 1961
Sources
Trump approves firing squad execution for 2009 Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan
Trump orders firing squad for gunman who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas
Ex- Army Nidal Hasan set for Dec. 3 execution by firing squad at Fort Hood
Trump approves firing squad execution for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan
Former US Army Major Nidal Hasan to be executed by firing squad, making it first military execution in 60 years: Details
Trump approves firing squad execution for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan
