Alonzo Lunsford, a former US Army sergeant who survived the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, stated that he supports the execution of the gunman, Nidal Hasan, by firing squad. Lunsford, who was shot seven times during the attack, expressed that this method is appropriate for Hasan, as he believes alternatives like lethal injection would be 'doing him a favour.' However, Lunsford voiced concerns regarding the potential livestreaming of the execution, stating it should not be viewed for entertainment purposes.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lunsford said, 'To show the whole thing without it being censored for the general public, for me personally, I don't agree with that, but it's not about my personal belief.' He emphasized that survivors and the families of victims should have the option to witness the execution.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the execution would be livestreamed, highlighting the importance of showing the consequences of such crimes. If carried out, it would mark the first public execution in the US in nearly a century. Legal experts have indicated that there may be challenges to the livestreaming in court.
Lunsford shared his experience during the shooting, recalling how he played dead after being shot and the traumatic memory of a pregnant woman pleading for her baby. He criticized Hasan's actions as cowardly, stating that personnel in medical facilities do not carry weapons. Lunsford, who identifies as a Christian, mentioned that he has forgiven Hasan, believing that forgiveness is essential for his own healing.
The Pentagon's announcement of Hasan's execution has sparked political debate, with some lawmakers opposing the idea of public executions. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy described it as 'disgusting,' while Republican Senator Thom Tillis stated that such actions are characteristic of 'oppressive dictators' and should not occur in America.