The Pentagon has announced that the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be carried out by firing squad on December 3, with the event set to be livestreamed for public viewing.
United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the public will have access to watch the execution of the gunman, who murdered 13 people, through a livestream. The Pentagon has disclosed that Hasan will face a firing squad at Fort Hood on December 3, with Hegseth confirming it will be "public".
Hegseth confirms public access
During an interview with conservative broadcaster Real America's Voice News on Wednesday, Hegseth declared: "We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public."
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 individuals and injuring a further 32 during a 2009 attack at the military installation. The Defence Secretary delivered his remarks to the broadcaster while aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, during a visit to the long-deployed personnel who provided support during the Iran conflict, ahead of their homecoming to San Diego.
Final appeals dismissed
When questioned whether Hasan had submitted any final appeals or reached out to the Trump administration, Hegseth curtly replied: "Don't care. We'll see him on December 3rd."
Pentagon representatives confirmed on Thursday that the execution will be broadcast live, with additional information to follow. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced on Monday that President Donald Trump had authorised Hasan's execution, reports the Daily Star. The White House promptly redirected enquiries regarding the livestreamed execution arrangements to the Pentagon on Thursday.
Survivor speaks out
Retired Staff Sergeant Alonzo Lunsford informed America's Newsroom he will be witnessing the execution of the officer who shot him 15 years earlier. Lunsford stated: "You live by the sword, you die by the sword. And the way that he went about doing his deed was a coward's way because we didn't have any way to defend ourselves that day."
Lunsford suffered several gunshot wounds, one striking his head. He reckons observing the execution could assist in bringing together survivors and grieving relatives. He explained: "It's for two reasons. One is to give the families of the deceased a chance to close a chapter and also the survivors to close a chapter," Lunsford said of the execution. "And it sends a clear message that we will not stand for this activity in any of our armed services or in the United States."
Rare military execution
The armed forces haven't put a service member to death by firing squad since the Second World War. The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Private John Bennett was put to death by hanging.
