Hasan’s Execution Set for Dec. 3 at Fort Hood

Key points

• Execution date set for December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, the site of the 2009 attack.
• Method is firing squad, first used by the U.S. military since World War II.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended the method; President Trump approved it.
• Hasan was convicted in 2013 of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.
• Victims’ families were notified before the public announcement and asked if they wish to attend.

Background

Hasan, now 56, was an Army psychiatrist at the time of the 2009 shooting. He had served two decades in the military. Since his conviction, he has been on death row at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. The last military execution was Pvt. John Bennett in 1961 by hanging. The last firing squad execution was Pvt. Eddie Slovik in 1945 for desertion during World War II.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and NBC News both confirm the December 3 date and the firing squad method. CBS emphasizes the emotional impact on victims’ families, noting they were notified before the public announcement. NBC highlights the historical significance, stressing it is the first firing squad execution since WWII. Both outlets agree on the roles of Hegseth and Trump in the decision. No disagreement on facts is reported.

Why it matters

This execution ends a 17-year legal process and closes a chapter for victims’ families. It also revives a long-dormant military punishment method, raising questions about its future use. The case underscores the severity of the 2009 Fort Hood attack and the military’s response to mass murder by a service member.

What to watch

Hasan will be notified in person by the commandant, accompanied by a chaplain and possibly a defense attorney, per Army regulation. He becomes a 'condemned prisoner' after notification. The Army will finalize logistics for the execution. Legal challenges via habeas corpus remain possible but are not currently reported.