Nidal Hasan
Fort Hood Mass Shooting
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Fort Hood, Texas
TIME PERIOD
November 5, 2009
VICTIMS
14 confirmed
On November 5, 2009, Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. Army major and psychiatrist, carried out a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 individuals and injuring 32 others. The attack occurred between approximately 1:34 p.m. and 1:44 p.m., targeting U.S. Army soldiers and civilians. Prior to the incident, Hasan exhibited concerning behavior, including anti-American comments and social isolation, and had been under scrutiny for his job performance. Following a court-martial in August 2013, he was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, receiving a unanimous death sentence, and is currently incarcerated at the United States Disciplinary Barracks. Investigations by the FBI and the Department of Defense revealed prior communications with extremist figures but controversially did not classify the attack as terrorism.
Many believe that Nidal Hasan's actions were motivated by his opposition to military deployment and his radicalization toward jihadism. Some speculate that his mental health issues and social isolation contributed to his violent outburst, while others argue that his behavior during his time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center should have prompted intervention before the shooting occurred. There are also discussions about whether his status as a Muslim in the military influenced his treatment and the response of his superiors to his concerning behavior.
The Life and Crimes of Nidal Hasan: Fort Hood's Tragic Day
A Troubling Prelude
On September 8, 1970, in Arlington County, Virginia, Nidal Malik Hasan was born into a family of Palestinian descent. His parents, naturalized American citizens, had immigrated from al-Bireh, a city near Jerusalem. Hasan grew up in the Muslim faith alongside his two younger brothers. By 1985, he was attending Wakefield High School in Arlington, but his family soon relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, where his father began a series of successful businesses. Hasan graduated from William Fleming High School in 1988, the same year he enlisted in the United States Army.
His academic journey was impressive, marked by Latin honors as he earned an associate degree from Virginia Western Community College in 1992 and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 1995. In 1997, he joined the Army Medical Department and began his medical education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Despite academic challenges, Hasan completed his studies in 2003 and pursued a psychiatry internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he also obtained a master's degree in public health with a focus on disaster and preventive psychiatry.
Signs of Distress
While Hasan was at Walter Reed, colleagues noted troubling behavior and comments that were described as "anti-American." His social isolation and stress were compounded by the traumatic stories he heard from soldiers returning from combat. Despite these issues, he was promoted to major in May 2009 and transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, a few months later. However, his move was shadowed by a 'poor performance' evaluation, although his former superior, Lt. Col. Ben Phillips, rated his performance as "outstanding."
Hasan's family was split on his military career. His cousin, Nader Hasan, a Virginia attorney, described Hasan as mortified by the prospect of deployment due to the horrors relayed by soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Meanwhile, his uncle Rafiq Hamad and cousin Mohammed Hasan painted Hasan as a gentle, sensitive man who was deeply affected by his Islamic faith and the early passing of his parents.
A Deadly Day at Fort Hood
On November 5, 2009, Fort Hood, Texas, became the site of a horrific shooting spree. Hasan, armed with an FN Five-seven pistol and an unused Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, opened fire on fellow soldiers and civilians. The attack, lasting approximately from 1:34 to 1:44 p.m., left 13 people dead and 32 others injured, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting on a U.S. military base.
The aftermath was a flurry of investigations. The FBI had previously monitored Hasan's email exchanges with Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, but had deemed them related to authorized research, not a threat. Post-shooting investigations by the FBI, Department of Defense, and U.S. Senate labeled the massacre as the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Yet, controversially, the Army did not charge Hasan with terrorism.
Court-Martial and Conviction
During his court-martial in August 2013, Hasan admitted to the shootings. A jury of 13 officers found him guilty of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, unanimously recommending his dismissal from service and sentencing him to death. Hasan now resides on death row at the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The Complex Persona
Hasan's life and actions were shaped by a complex web of influences. His military service earned him the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Yet his religious beliefs seemed to have deepened following his parents' deaths, with his family asserting that he was a good American, despite later evidence suggesting otherwise.
His correspondence with al-Awlaki raised alarms. The FBI initially found nothing militant in the emails, yet after the tragedy, al-Awlaki's influence was scrutinized, with Hasan reportedly showing admiration for the radical cleric's teachings. This relationship, along with Hasan's expressed opposition to U.S. military actions in Islamic countries, painted a picture of a man torn between his duties and his beliefs.
Conclusion
Nidal Hasan's story is a chilling reminder of the potential for inner turmoil to manifest in catastrophic ways. His actions on that fateful November day were a tragic confluence of personal convictions, mental health struggles, and ideological influences. As he awaits execution, the legacy of his crimes continues to resonate, prompting ongoing debates about the complexities of faith, duty, and identity in the military.
Sources
For a comprehensive account and additional details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Nidal Hasan - Wikipedia
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Fort Hood Shooting
Nidal Hasan opens fire at Fort Hood, killing 13 and injuring 32.
Charges Filed
Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.
Court-Martial Begins
Hasan admits to being the shooter during his court-martial proceedings.
Conviction
Hasan is convicted of all charges, making him eligible for the death penalty.
Death Sentence Recommended
The jury recommends a death sentence for Hasan after his conviction.
Death Penalty Upheld
The U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals upholds Hasan's death penalty.
Final Appeal Denied
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces upholds Hasan's death penalty.
Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court denies Hasan's final petition, confirming his death sentence.
On November 5, 2009, Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. Army major and psychiatrist, carried out a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 individuals and injuring 32 others. The attack occurred between approximately 1:34 p.m. and 1:44 p.m., targeting U.S. Army soldiers and civilians. Prior to the incident, Hasan exhibited concerning behavior, including anti-American comments and social isolation, and had been under scrutiny for his job performance. Following a court-martial in August 2013, he was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, receiving a unanimous death sentence, and is currently incarcerated at the United States Disciplinary Barracks. Investigations by the FBI and the Department of Defense revealed prior communications with extremist figures but controversially did not classify the attack as terrorism.
Many believe that Nidal Hasan's actions were motivated by his opposition to military deployment and his radicalization toward jihadism. Some speculate that his mental health issues and social isolation contributed to his violent outburst, while others argue that his behavior during his time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center should have prompted intervention before the shooting occurred. There are also discussions about whether his status as a Muslim in the military influenced his treatment and the response of his superiors to his concerning behavior.
The Life and Crimes of Nidal Hasan: Fort Hood's Tragic Day
A Troubling Prelude
On September 8, 1970, in Arlington County, Virginia, Nidal Malik Hasan was born into a family of Palestinian descent. His parents, naturalized American citizens, had immigrated from al-Bireh, a city near Jerusalem. Hasan grew up in the Muslim faith alongside his two younger brothers. By 1985, he was attending Wakefield High School in Arlington, but his family soon relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, where his father began a series of successful businesses. Hasan graduated from William Fleming High School in 1988, the same year he enlisted in the United States Army.
His academic journey was impressive, marked by Latin honors as he earned an associate degree from Virginia Western Community College in 1992 and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 1995. In 1997, he joined the Army Medical Department and began his medical education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Despite academic challenges, Hasan completed his studies in 2003 and pursued a psychiatry internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he also obtained a master's degree in public health with a focus on disaster and preventive psychiatry.
Signs of Distress
While Hasan was at Walter Reed, colleagues noted troubling behavior and comments that were described as "anti-American." His social isolation and stress were compounded by the traumatic stories he heard from soldiers returning from combat. Despite these issues, he was promoted to major in May 2009 and transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, a few months later. However, his move was shadowed by a 'poor performance' evaluation, although his former superior, Lt. Col. Ben Phillips, rated his performance as "outstanding."
Hasan's family was split on his military career. His cousin, Nader Hasan, a Virginia attorney, described Hasan as mortified by the prospect of deployment due to the horrors relayed by soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Meanwhile, his uncle Rafiq Hamad and cousin Mohammed Hasan painted Hasan as a gentle, sensitive man who was deeply affected by his Islamic faith and the early passing of his parents.
A Deadly Day at Fort Hood
On November 5, 2009, Fort Hood, Texas, became the site of a horrific shooting spree. Hasan, armed with an FN Five-seven pistol and an unused Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, opened fire on fellow soldiers and civilians. The attack, lasting approximately from 1:34 to 1:44 p.m., left 13 people dead and 32 others injured, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting on a U.S. military base.
The aftermath was a flurry of investigations. The FBI had previously monitored Hasan's email exchanges with Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, but had deemed them related to authorized research, not a threat. Post-shooting investigations by the FBI, Department of Defense, and U.S. Senate labeled the massacre as the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Yet, controversially, the Army did not charge Hasan with terrorism.
Court-Martial and Conviction
During his court-martial in August 2013, Hasan admitted to the shootings. A jury of 13 officers found him guilty of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, unanimously recommending his dismissal from service and sentencing him to death. Hasan now resides on death row at the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The Complex Persona
Hasan's life and actions were shaped by a complex web of influences. His military service earned him the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Yet his religious beliefs seemed to have deepened following his parents' deaths, with his family asserting that he was a good American, despite later evidence suggesting otherwise.
His correspondence with al-Awlaki raised alarms. The FBI initially found nothing militant in the emails, yet after the tragedy, al-Awlaki's influence was scrutinized, with Hasan reportedly showing admiration for the radical cleric's teachings. This relationship, along with Hasan's expressed opposition to U.S. military actions in Islamic countries, painted a picture of a man torn between his duties and his beliefs.
Conclusion
Nidal Hasan's story is a chilling reminder of the potential for inner turmoil to manifest in catastrophic ways. His actions on that fateful November day were a tragic confluence of personal convictions, mental health struggles, and ideological influences. As he awaits execution, the legacy of his crimes continues to resonate, prompting ongoing debates about the complexities of faith, duty, and identity in the military.
Sources
For a comprehensive account and additional details, visit the original Wikipedia article: Nidal Hasan - Wikipedia
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Fort Hood Shooting
Nidal Hasan opens fire at Fort Hood, killing 13 and injuring 32.
Charges Filed
Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.
Court-Martial Begins
Hasan admits to being the shooter during his court-martial proceedings.
Conviction
Hasan is convicted of all charges, making him eligible for the death penalty.
Death Sentence Recommended
The jury recommends a death sentence for Hasan after his conviction.
Death Penalty Upheld
The U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals upholds Hasan's death penalty.
Final Appeal Denied
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces upholds Hasan's death penalty.
Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court denies Hasan's final petition, confirming his death sentence.