Fort Hood survivor supports gunman's execution by firing squad but questions livestream

October 9, 2026

Former Army Sergeant Alonzo Lunsford, who survived being shot seven times during the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, has expressed support for executing gunman Nidal Hasan by firing squad rather than more humane methods like lethal injection. Lunsford believes the harsher execution method is appropriate given that Hasan showed no compassion when killing 13 unarmed soldiers in a medical facility at the Texas military base. However, the survivor opposes the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution publicly, fearing it could negatively influence younger viewers, though he believes victims' families should have access to watch.

Who is affected

Alonzo Lunsford (former US Army sergeant shot seven times)
Nidal Hasan (the gunman facing execution)
13 unarmed US soldiers who were fatally shot
Survivors of the shooting and their families
Families of the victims killed in the attack
A pregnant woman who was shot and her unborn baby
The general public (who would have access to the livestream)
Younger people who might view the execution

What action is being taken

The Pentagon is planning to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad
The Pentagon is planning to livestream the execution publicly
Alonzo Lunsford is planning to attend the execution in person

Why it matters

This would mark the first public execution in the United States in almost a century and the first military execution in over 60 years, representing a significant shift in how capital punishment is administered and viewed publicly. The decision to livestream the execution raises important questions about public access to state-sanctioned violence, the potential for desensitization to violence among viewers, and whether such displays align with American values or resemble practices of oppressive regimes. The case also highlights ongoing debates about appropriate justice for mass violence against military personnel and the balance between transparency and the potential for spectacle in the justice system.

What's next

Lunsford plans to be present at the execution and wants to make eye contact with Hasan before the firing squad acts
Legal challenges may be mounted in court regarding the livestreaming, which legal experts suggest could successfully prevent the execution from proceeding as planned
Lunsford believes Hasan should ask for forgiveness with his last breath

Read full article from source: BBC