Fort Hood Survivor Questions Public Execution Livestream

The survivor of the Fort Hood massacre from 2009 expresses her wish for multiple executions of the mass shooter, equal to the number of lives he took. However, she’s questioning the military’s plan to livestream the execution. Nidal Hasan, now 56, is set for execution by firing squad on December 3, 2026. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced it would be available for public viewing.

Public Livestream Concerns

Julia Wilson, a former Defense Department civilian employee and survivor of the shooting, voiced her concerns to Fox News Digital. Wilson wants the shooter executed and insists on attending the execution. Looking him in the eye, Wilson aims to demonstrate survival and resilience despite Hasan’s actions.

“Why would people want to see that?” Wilson questioned regarding the livestream.

Hasan, an Army psychiatrist at the time, carried out the attack on November 5, 2009, at Texas Army post, killing 13 and injuring 32 more. After a military court-martial, Hasan received a death sentence.

In October 2023, President Donald Trump approved the death sentence for Hasan, days after which Hegseth revealed plans for a public firing squad.

Reservations About Streaming Execution

Wilson is conflicted, acknowledging her intention to confront Hasan, yet hesitant about the public broadcast. Broadcasting could expose children to violence she’s tried to forget for nearly 17 years.

“Unfortunately, some children may end up seeing that, that don’t need to see something like that,” Wilson shared. “Seeing my soldiers murdered that day, that was the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that. And I can never wash it out of my mind.”

Lawmakers also oppose the decision. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., expressed disgust at making executions public. He stated, “Public executions are what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do. It should not be happening in America.”

Trump acknowledged awareness of military preferences regarding the execution’s public viewing. Vice President J.D. Vance indicated uncertainty about livestreaming and mentioned he wouldn’t watch himself.

Mixed Feelings on Justice

While Wilson acknowledges relief that the execution is moving forward, she admits mixed feelings about witnessing a human’s death.

“Yes, I’m glad that it’s moving forward. No, I…don’t ever want to see another human being die,” Wilson remarked.

Pregnant at the time of the shooting, Wilson recounted the attack’s chaos. She was at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center when gunfire erupted.

“Before I got the chance to shut off my engine and really get out of the vehicle, that’s when the gunfire started,” Wilson said.

She navigated the wreckage inside, with desks overturned and blood splattered everywhere.

Calls for Reclassification

Wilson argues that Hasan’s death penalty doesn’t deliver full justice. Criticizing the federal government for classifying the massacre as workplace violence, Wilson advocates for its designation as domestic terrorism.

“We’ve been betrayed by the government for 17 years,” Wilson emphasized.

Wilson wrote to Trump, urging recognition of domestic terrorism status for the shooting.

“It’s time for healing,” Wilson asserted. “And that healing can not start until the situation is fully rectified, until there’s full justice.”