Hasan Execution Scheduled 17 Years after Mass Shooting
By Stephen Sherwood, Staff Writer
On November 5, 2009, Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 unarmed people and wounded 32 others in a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. One of the Soldiers killed was Pfc. Francheska “Cheka” Velez who was three months pregnant, neither Velez nor the child survived.
The shooting occurred at the Fort Hood Soldier Readiness Center, commonly known as SRP, which is to ensure that soldiers are medically, mentally and physically fit for deployments. Hasan was shot by Killeen Police Sgt.Mark Todd, leaving Hasan paralyzed from the waist down.
Following the shooting Hasan was held in custody at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas during his trial. Reviews from the Pentagon revealed that Hasan’s superiors had ignored the concerns raised by his actions. During the trial Hasan admitted he conducted the shooting to protect Muslims and Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. Hasan was found guilty of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 attempted premeditated murder on August 23, 2013.
President Donald Trump announced Oct. 6, 2026 that Hasan was to be executed by firing squad, which has not been done since January 1945 during World War II. The execution is set for Dec.3, 2026 at Fort Hood, Texas.
Originally, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the execution would be livestreamed to the public. This was met with backlash by varying members of the nation and military leaders. President Trump later retracted the plan in a tweet posted on Oct. 15, 2026 stating “He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but the event will not be streamed.” He also said the immediate family of Hasan’s victims have the choice to view his execution.
Nov. 5 this year will mark 17 years since the shooting.
