A former victim of the Fort Hood shooting is speaking out against plans for a public execution of the shooter, highlighting severe emotional wounds that such a spectacle could reopen for survivors and their families.

Army Staff Sgt. Paul Martin (ret.), who survived the 2009 massacre that claimed 13 lives, expressed his disdain for what he calls an impending “execution spectacle.” In a video shared by VoteVets, a progressive group advocating for military matters, Martin argues that broadcasting the event would merely serve to sensationalize death rather than provide closure.

“They open a wound back up and I don’t understand how that’s going to help my healing,” Martin said in the video, outlining his concerns about the ramifications of a public execution.

Major Nidal Hasan, the shooter, is currently paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, which adds a layer of disturbing irony to the planned event. President Donald Trump had previously stated that while the execution is not yet finalized, discussions around it have created a wave of discomfort among survivors and the broader public.

“There are two thoughts: don’t show it and show it,” President Trump mentioned during a recent briefing. “So I’ll make a decision ultimately.”

Despite the president’s indecision, the Pentagon has confirmed that the execution will go ahead as planned and will be livestreamed, drawing sharp criticism from those who survived Hasan’s rampage.

Martin described the upcoming execution as akin to a “clown show,” emphasizing that it should not be treated as entertainment. “This is not a sporting event,” he asserted, reflecting a deep concern for how the execution could be politicized.

Victims and their families grapple daily with the long-lasting psychological scars from the attack, making Martin’s avoidance of the execution all the more poignant. “It could set back the recovery process that still continues for the survivors, 17 years later,” he added.

On the day of the shooting, Martin was about to be discharged from the Army after years of service. He had just buried his father and was meeting with a physician when Hasan began his assault, firing indiscriminately at his fellow soldiers.

Martin recounted the horror of that day—the moment he was first shot in the arm, the instinct to play dead, and the subsequent panic when Hasan shot him in the leg. “That’s when I panicked. I got up and tried to run. That’s when he shot me in the back,” Martin recalled, detailing the events that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

As preparations for Hasan’s execution progress, Martin has made it clear he feels utterly sidelined by decision-makers within the Pentagon, notably Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who announced the livestreaming plans without input from victims.

“I don’t want to be part of a clown show,” Martin reiterated, emphasizing the need to treat the gravity of the situation with the respect it deserves. For him, the mere idea of televised executions seems inappropriate for a nation that prides itself on its democratic values.

Critics of the execution plan worry that it will reduce the tragedy to entertainment, further complicating the healing process for those affected. This narrative runs counter to Martin’s plea that the focus should be on honoring the memory of the 13 lives lost, rather than turning their deaths into a public spectacle.

Martin’s stance is a call for more sensitivity towards not just the victims but also the values of society itself. “It’s not about politics. It’s that 13 people lost their lives that day and 32 of us were wounded,” he said, shedding light on the real human cost behind the headlines.

As the debate continues over the ethics of public executions, Martin’s voice stands as a poignant reminder that behind every tragedy are real people with scars that run deeper than the headlines can capture.

Moving forward, the conversation surrounding the execution of Major Hasan is likely to prompt more discussions about the treatment of veterans and victims. Martin’s call for compassion serves as a much-needed reminder of the human dimension of violence and revenge.

As survivors grapple with the mixed emotions surrounding the event, questions remain: What impact will this public execution have on their healing process, and how does a nation reconcile revenge with justice?