Alonzo Lunsford, a former US Army sergeant who survived a mass shooting at Fort Hood in 2009, has stated his support for the execution of Nidal Hasan, a US Army psychiatrist who fatally shot 13 unarmed soldiers. However, Lunsford expressed reservations about the planned livestreaming of the execution, citing concerns about the message it would send, particularly to younger audiences.
Hasan’s execution by firing squad was announced by the Pentagon earlier this week, marking the first military execution in more than 60 years. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the public would be able to view a livestream of the execution, stating it is important for people to witness the consequences of such crimes. If the livestream proceeds, it would constitute the first public execution in the United States in nearly a century, though legal experts indicated there are significant legal challenges that could prevent this from occurring.
Lunsford told the BBC that the firing squad method is appropriate for Hasan, as alternatives such as lethal injection would constitute “doing him a favour.” While he personally opposes the public livestreaming of the execution, Lunsford indicated that survivors, victim families, and victims’ families should have the opportunity to witness it. He stated his intention to attend the execution in person.
Despite his support for the execution, Lunsford indicated he has forgiven Hasan from a Christian perspective. He provided an account of the shooting, describing how Hasan opened fire in a medical building, shooting him seven times. Lunsford also criticized Hasan’s characterization of his actions as being motivated by religious cause, stating that such actions are not supported by the Quran.
The planned livestream has drawn political opposition, with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy calling it “disgusting” and Republican Senator Thom Tillis stating that public executions are practices of “oppressive dictators” and should not occur in America.
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