Fort Hood Survivor Supports Nidal Hasan’s Execution but Questions Livestream Plan
Fort Hood Survivor Questions Execution Livestream
A survivor of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting has expressed support for the execution of convicted gunman Nidal Hasan by firing squad, while questioning the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the procedure.
Alonzo Lunsford, a former US Army sergeant who was shot seven times during the attack, said he supports the decision to execute Hasan. However, he believes broadcasting the killing to the public raises serious concerns.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday, Lunsford said the execution should not become entertainment for viewers.
His comments come amid growing debate in the United States over the military’s decision to broadcast the planned execution online. The Pentagon says the public should be able to witness the consequences of serious crimes, but critics warn that livestreaming an execution could turn a punishment into a public spectacle.
Lunsford Supports Firing Squad Method
Lunsford said he believes a firing squad is an appropriate method of execution for Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009.
He argued that other execution methods would be too lenient, reflecting his anger over the attack and the lives lost.
However, Lunsford drew a distinction between supporting the sentence and broadcasting the procedure.
He said showing the entire execution without censorship was something he personally opposed, although he acknowledged that his view did not determine what the authorities would decide.
The former sergeant said he planned to attend the execution in person if it goes ahead.
He also expressed a desire to look Hasan in the eyes before the execution, saying he wanted the convicted gunman to understand that the attack had not destroyed his life.
What Happened During the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting?
The Fort Hood shooting occurred on November 5, 2009, at the US Army base in Texas.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, opened fire inside a military medical facility, killing 13 people and injuring 32 others.
Many of the victims were soldiers preparing for deployment or attending medical appointments before returning to duty.
Lunsford was among those shot during the attack. He later described being wounded several times as he tried to escape and help another injured soldier.
The shooting shocked the US military and raised questions about security procedures and how authorities handled concerns surrounding Hasan before the attack.
Hasan was arrested after being shot by police. He survived but was left partially paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
A military jury convicted him of 45 counts of premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder in 2013 and sentenced him to death.
Pentagon Plans to Livestream the Execution
The Pentagon has announced that Hasan’s execution is scheduled for December 3 at Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the execution would be livestreamed, although further details about the broadcast have not been released.
Hegseth has argued that the public should understand the consequences of crimes such as the Fort Hood attack.
The last execution carried out by the US military was in 1961.
The proposed livestream has attracted particular attention because legal executions have rarely been public events in the United States for generations.
Concerns Over Public Broadcasting
Lunsford warned that the livestream could send the wrong message, particularly to younger viewers..
Other critics have also questioned the plan.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the precedent it could establish.
The American military has traditionally limited execution witnesses to approved observers, including representatives of victims’ families and selected media.
A nationwide livestream would represent a significant departure from that approach.
Political and Legal Debate Grows
The proposal has also drawn criticism from political and religious figures.
US Vice-President JD Vance said he was uncertain whether the livestream would ultimately take place and indicated that he would not watch it if it did.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, criticised the plan, while lawmakers from different political backgrounds questioned the decision to broadcast the execution.
Legal experts have also suggested that the proposal could face court challenges.
Lunsford Says Forgiveness Is Part of Healing
Despite his support for Hasan’s execution, Lunsford said he has forgiven the man who shot him.
He explained that his Christian faith played a role in that decision and that forgiveness was important to his own healing.
His position reflects the complex feelings many survivors experience after mass violence. Support for punishment can exist alongside efforts to move forward and rebuild a life after trauma.
Lunsford’s comments have helped bring attention to the distinction between seeking justice for victims and turning an execution into a public event.
What Happens Next?
Hasan’s execution remains scheduled for December 3, pending any legal developments.
The Pentagon has said it intends to livestream the procedure, but questions about the broadcast remain unresolved.
For Lunsford, the issue is not simply whether Hasan should face the sentence imposed by the military court. He supports the execution but questions whether the public should watch it live.
As the date approaches, the debate is likely to continue over capital punishment, military justice and the consequences of making an execution available to a worldwide audience.
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