Retired Army Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who survived being shot seven times during the 2009 Fort Hood massacre, intends to be present at the scheduled execution of Nidal Hasan and wants the convicted gunman to look him in the eyes before the sentence is carried out.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, opened fire on unarmed soldiers and civilians at a Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” He was convicted in a 2013 court-martial of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder and sentenced to death. After years of appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case in 2025. President Donald Trump approved the death sentence on October 2, 2026, following a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Army has set the execution for 1 p.m. Central Time on December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, to be carried out by firing squad—the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad since World War II.
Lunsford, who played dead after being shot in the head and body to survive the attack, has said the firing squad method is fitting because alternatives such as lethal injection would be “doing him a favour.” He plans to attend in person. “I’m gonna be there and before they pull the trigger, I want him to look at me in my eyes and I look at him in his eyes and I want him to know: ‘Dude you failed, I’m still here,’” he told the BBC.
He has also expressed clear reservations about plans to livestream the execution for the broader public. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated that the event would be public and available to watch so people would understand there are serious consequences for such acts. Lunsford has said it is “not something you should view for entertainment purposes” and has voiced concern about the “effect” and “message” a livestream could send to younger people. He believes survivors, their families, and the families of the victims should be able to view the proceedings, but he does not support an uncensored public broadcast for general entertainment.
President Trump has likewise shown hesitancy on the livestream question. While strongly endorsing the firing squad execution itself—stating Hasan “deserves it” and that he does not care how the sentence is carried out “as long as he goes”—Trump has said the decision on broadcasting remains open. “There are two thoughts: don’t show it, and show it,” he told reporters. “By showing it, maybe other people won’t be doing what he did. I’ll make a decision, ultimately.” He has also noted that officials are “making a determination” on the matter.
The planned public and potentially livestreamed nature of the execution has drawn criticism from lawmakers of both parties, with some comparing it to practices in authoritarian regimes. Legal experts have also noted that further challenges could still delay the proceedings.
SOURCES:
Fort Hood survivor supports gunman’s execution by firing squad but questions livestream
Army Sets Execution Date for Convicted Murderer Nidal Hasan | Article | The United States Army
Trump says he will ‘make a decision’ on Hegseth plan to live-stream execution
Fort Hood survivor will be at Nidal Hasan’s public execution to ‘look at him in his eyes’
Fort Hood survivor to attend Nidal Malik Hasan’s firing squad execution | Fox News
‘I want him to go out the same way’: Fort Hood massacre survivor reacts to execution order for Nidal Hasan
Date set for firing squad execution of ex-soldier who killed 13 at Fort Hood | Stars and Stripes
