Post Updated: Friday, October 9, 2026
Nidal Malik Hasan is a former U.S. Army major and psychiatrist who carried out one of the deadliest attacks on an American military installation. On November 5, 2009, he opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 people and wounding 32 others. In 2013 a military court sentenced him to death. As of early October 2026, President Donald Trump has approved that sentence, and the Army has scheduled his execution by firing squad for December 3, 2026, at the same post where the attack occurred.
Here is a clear look at who he is, what he did, and where the case stands today.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Nidal Malik Hasan was born on September 8, 1970, in Arlington, Virginia, to parents who had immigrated from a Palestinian town near Jerusalem. He grew up in Virginia, graduated from high school, and enlisted in the Army after finishing school. He later earned a degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech and attended medical school through a military scholarship at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Hasan trained as a psychiatrist, completing his internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He rose to the rank of major and worked with service members returning from combat. Colleagues later described concerns about his performance and increasingly anti-American or radical comments during his time there. In 2009 he transferred to Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos).
The 2009 Fort Hood Attack
On the morning of November 5, 2009, Hasan entered the Soldier Readiness Processing Center where troops were preparing for deployment. Witnesses said he shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire with a laser-sighted handgun. He specifically targeted soldiers in uniform.
The attack left 13 dead—12 soldiers and one civilian employee—and more than 30 wounded. Responding civilian police shot Hasan, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Investigators determined he had planned the assault for weeks, including purchasing the weapon and practicing reloads.
At his court-martial he largely declined to mount a traditional defense. He admitted he was the shooter and stated the attack was carried out in support of the Taliban and to prevent soldiers from deploying against Muslims.
Trial, Conviction, and Appeals
In August 2013 a panel of military officers found Hasan guilty of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. Five days later the same panel sentenced him to death. He has been held at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, ever since.
Key points in the legal process include:
- He acted largely as his own attorney and did not deny the shootings.
- Military appellate courts upheld the conviction and sentence.
- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case in March 2025.
- On October 2, 2026, President Trump formally approved the death sentence.
- On October 6–7, 2026, the Army set the execution for December 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. CST by firing squad at Fort Hood.
This would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad in many decades.
Key Facts at a Glance
Detail Information Full Name Nidal Malik Hasan Date of Birth September 8, 1970 Rank at Time of Attack U.S. Army Major and Psychiatrist Attack Date November 5, 2009 Location Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), Texas Victims 13 killed, 32 wounded Conviction 2013 court-martial (all counts) Sentence Death Current Status (Oct 2026) Scheduled for execution Dec. 3, 2026 by firing squad Holding Facility U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth
Conclusion
Nidal Malik Hasan remains one of the most significant figures in modern U.S. military justice history. His 2009 attack at Fort Hood stands as a stark example of domestic terrorism carried out by an active-duty service member. After years of appeals, the military justice system has reached its final stage, with an execution date now set for December 3, 2026. The case continues to raise questions about radicalization, warning signs that were missed, and the rare use of capital punishment in the armed forces.
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