Fort Hood survivor shot in head vows to watch terrorist face historic firing squad
- Retired Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, a survivor of the 2009 Fort Hood massacre, plans to witness the execution.
- President Trump has authorized the first U.S. military execution by firing squad since 1945.
- Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 and wounding 30, is scheduled to face the firing squad on December 3, 2026.
- The execution marks the first time the U.S. military has carried out a death sentence since 1961.
Brief Summary
Over 15 years after the horrific terrorist attack at Fort Hood, the wheels of justice are finally turning for Nidal Malik Hasan. Retired Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who survived multiple gunshot wounds including a headshot during the jihadist's rampage, is set to witness the execution to help bring closure to the victims' families and survivors. President Trump has officially approved the use of a firing squad for the sentence, signaling a sharp departure from decades of military legal stagnation.
Why This Matters
This development signals a significant shift in how the military handles internal threats and capital punishment. By opting for a firing squad—a method not used by the military since 1945—the administration is sending a stark, unambiguous message about the consequences of terror on American soil. For you, this underscores a move toward swifter, more traditional forms of justice that prioritize accountability over bureaucratic delay. It serves as a reminder that the government is signaling a return to a 'zero-tolerance' stance regarding attacks on service members, which could influence future military judicial procedures and the public's expectation for how high-profile terrorists are treated.