Fort Hood Survivor Questions Decision to Livestream Execution

A survivor of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting expressed a wish that the mass shooter could be executed once for every life he took that day. However, she’s also expressing doubt about the military’s choice to livestream his execution.

Nidal Hasan, 56, is set to be executed by firing squad on December 3, 2026. Recently, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made headlines by announcing that the execution will be streamed for the public to watch.

“Why would people want to see that?” Julia Wilson, a former civilian employee of the Defense Department who endured the traumatic shooting nearly 17 years ago, shared with media outlets. Wilson, a victim of the attack, is eager to attend the execution and confront Hasan directly.

On November 5, 2009, Hasan, who was then an Army psychiatrist, opened fire in a soldier readiness center on the Texas Army post, resulting in 13 fatalities and 32 injuries. He was sentenced to death after a military court-martial in August 2013.

Wilson stated her desire to be present at the execution, wanting to look Hasan in the eye and convey a powerful message: “I survived you. You didn’t do as much damage as you thought you were going to.”

She, however, has reservations about the public livestreaming of the execution. “I’m pretty shocked that they would go so far as to televise it,” Wilson reflected, admitting uncertainty about how to feel regarding that decision.

One of her main concerns pertains to children potentially being exposed to violent imagery. She expressed worry that young viewers, in particular, shouldn’t have to witness such an event. “Seeing my soldiers murdered that day… I can never wash that out of my mind,” she added, questioning why anyone would want to watch the execution unfold.

Wilson’s concerns resonate with lawmakers, too, including Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina, who criticized the idea of a public execution, likening it to practices of oppressive regimes. “Public executions are not something that should happen in America,” he stated on social media.

President Trump has indicated that he will ultimately decide whether or not to proceed with livestreaming the execution. He acknowledged awareness of military preferences following Hegseth’s announcement.

Vice President J.D. Vance also mentioned uncertainty over the government’s decision on livestreaming and expressed that he personally would not watch it.

“Honestly, I have mixed feelings about it,” confessed Wilson. “While I’m relieved that it’s happening, I also don’t want to witness another human being die. But then again, there’s the concept of an eye for an eye.”

At the time of the shooting, Wilson was nine months pregnant and about to give birth. She vividly remembered returning from lunch and hearing gunfire just as she parked her car.

Wilson detailed the chaotic scene upon entering the building, describing desks scattered everywhere, blood on the walls, and frantic efforts to assist the wounded. She froze as a soldier ran in, warning others about Hasan still being in the building.

Despite the impending execution of Hasan, Wilson feels that legal actions alone won’t provide full justice for the victims. She has criticized the federal government for labeling the shooting as “workplace violence” rather than recognizing it as an act of domestic terrorism, expressing disappointment over the political motivations behind the classification.

“We’ve been betrayed by the government for 17 years,” she stated, emphasizing the need for reclassification. Wilson has even reached out to President Trump, urging him to recognize the shooting for what it truly was: an act of terror.

“It’s time for healing,” she concluded. “But that healing can’t begin until we see full justice.”