Alonzo Lunsford, who survived the mass shooting at Fort Hood, expressed his support for the execution of the gunman, Nidal Hasan, via firing squad while simultaneously questioning the decision to livestream the event. The Pentagon recently announced the planned execution, which would mark the first military execution in more than six decades.
Recalling the tragic events of that day, Lunsford described how Hasan stood up, jumped onto a counter, and began firing weapons in a medical facility where personnel were unarmed. Lunsford recounted being shot above the left eye while attempting to reach a back door, and being hit twice more in the back as he crawled behind a desk. After playing dead, Lunsford attempted to escape with another wounded soldier outside, only to be shot again by Hasan from behind.
Lunsford also shared a haunting memory of a pregnant woman pleading for her unborn child before being shot. He criticized Hasan for attacking unarmed medical personnel, calling the actions cowardly and rejecting Hasan's claims that the attack was justified by the Quran, stating that his reading of the text supports no such acts.
Despite the trauma he endured, Lunsford stated that as a Christian, he has forgiven Hasan because he believes personal healing requires forgiveness. He added his belief that Hasan should use his final breath to ask for forgiveness.
While Lunsford believes the severe punishment matches the severity of the crimes, legal experts have noted that various obstacles could challenge the legality of livestreaming the execution. Political figures have also weighed in on the broadcast plans, with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy calling the idea disgusting and Republican Senator Thom Tillis arguing that public executions resemble the tactics of oppressive dictators and have no place in America.