Fort Hood Shooter Will Be Executed by a Firing Squad, the First by the U.S. Military in 65 Years

Nidal Hasan, a former major in the United States Army, has been sanctioned for execution in connection with the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to 32 others. In a significant development, President Donald Trump has granted approval for the execution, marking the first military execution in the United States in 65 years.

This decision follows a recommendation from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suggested that Hasan should face a firing squad as his method of execution. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell made the announcement on social media platform X, stating that “Judgment day for Hasan has finally come.” The timing and location for the execution will be determined by the Secretary of the Army.

Hasan, who is currently 56 years old, was convicted in 2013 by a military jury for the massacre that occurred on 5 November 2009 at Fort Hood, which was then considered the deadliest shooting on an American military installation. Of the 13 victims, twelve were active-duty soldiers, and the incident profoundly impacted military communities across the nation.

The implications of this execution extend beyond Hasan’s case alone; it is noteworthy that Hasan is one of only four individuals on death row in the United States following a military court-martial. His execution, if executed as planned, will be the first since the execution of Private John Bennett in 1961, who was sentenced to death for rape and attempted murder.

During the trial, Hasan, who served as a psychiatrist, claimed his actions were motivated by a desire to protect Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. He was incapacitated during the shooting when a police officer confronted him, resulting in injuries that left him partly paralysed. Hasan’s legal journey has seen numerous appeals, and most recently, the Supreme Court refused to hear a petition regarding his case, clearing a significant hurdle towards his execution.

Under current federal law, approval from the sitting president is necessary for the execution of any individual sentenced to death by a military court-martial. In September 2025, Hegseth publicly conveyed that he had submitted a request to Trump to authorise Hasan’s execution. He expressed his unwavering commitment to see justice served for the victims and their families, stating, “This savage terrorist deserves the harshest lawful punishment for his 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.”

The developments surrounding Hasan’s case have garnered attention and stirred conversations about justice, punishment, and the application of the death penalty within the military judicial system. As the first military execution in over six decades looms closer, it sparks discussions about the broader implications of such a decision, including the ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment.

In light of these events, the Department of War has declined to comment further beyond Parnell’s initial announcement. Contact made to the White House for additional information on the matter has not yet received a response.

As the military prepares for what could be a historic execution, families of the victims and those impacted by Hasan’s actions are left to grapple with the complex emotions that accompany the prospect of capital punishment as a form of justice.