Pentagon Plans Hasan Execution Livestream as Survivors React

Survivors of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting are responding to the Pentagon's decision to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the public broadcast plan, with Hasan scheduled for execution by firing squad on Dec. 3.

According to ABC News, the execution will mark the first military execution since 1961 and the first firing squad execution by the military since 1945. Hasan, who described the attack as an act of jihad, is set to be executed by eight military service members.

Alonzo Lunsford, a former Army sergeant who was shot seven times during the Fort Hood attack, said he plans to attend the execution and wants direct contact with Hasan before his death.

"lock eyes" Lunsford said he wants to do that with Hasan before the execution.

Lunsford served in the Army from 1990 and retired in 2013. He told ABC News that he believes the execution could bring closure for survivors and said he supports the selected method.

"I want him to be able to look at my eyes and to let him understand I won't be defeated, can't be defeated. I am no longer a victim, his victim. I am a survivor," Lunsford said.

Lunsford also explained why he supports a firing squad, referring to the way Hasan carried out the attack.

"It's how he shot us," Lunsford said.

The survivor said he has concerns about making the execution available to a broad public audience. He argued that executions should not become entertainment or a public spectacle.

"I don't want this to be viewed upon as a spectacle, like a pay-per-view event, or like going to a basketball tournament," Lunsford said.

Lunsford said he believes the United States has a responsibility to consider the message created by the livestream decision.

"We're not trying to meet a standard -- we're trying to set a standard for the free world," Lunsford said.

Some lawmakers also criticized the Pentagon's announcement. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., wrote on X that he supports the death sentence but objected to broadcasting the execution.

"I absolutely support the sentence of death, but live-streaming executions is what jihadists do," Scott said.

Rep. Adam Smith, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, also opposed the plan, saying the broadcast would undermine the legal process.

"makes a mockery of our legal system," Smith said.

Dayna Ferguson, another survivor of the Fort Hood shooting, was 21 years old and serving as an Army specialist when she was shot three times. She told ABC News that she is still deciding whether to attend the execution.

Ferguson said the livestream decision was unexpected but connected it to historical documentation of war and death.

"It's not completely shocking, given that death and war have historically always been documented through photographs and video. But it's just not something I expected to hear," Ferguson said.

She added that her view of the decision does not affect the outcome of Hasan's scheduled execution.

"I hadn't really thought about if I agree with the decisions being made -- but it doesn't make a difference in what happens to him," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said she focuses on surviving the attack and described the lasting impact of what happened at Fort Hood.

"I've been hurt worse in life than by Nidal. Sometimes you're just the collateral damage in someone else's warfare in their own mind," Ferguson said.