On March 7, 2025, South Carolina executed inmate Brad Sigmon using a firing squad, marking the first time this method has been employed in the state’s history. Sigmon, 67, was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001 and chose this method over lethal injection due to concerns about the state’s execution protocols.
- South Carolina executed Brad Sigmon by firing squad.
- Firing squad last used in the U.S. in 2010.
- Sigmon chose firing squad over lethal injection.
- He was convicted of a double murder in 2001.
- Majority of Americans support the death penalty.
- Utah previously used firing squads for executions.
The use of a firing squad is rare in the united states, with Utah being the only state to have utilized it since 2010. As states face challenges obtaining lethal injection drugs and dealing with botched executions, several have recently legalized firing squads as an alternative method. Polls indicate that while many Americans support capital punishment, there are mixed feelings regarding firing squads as a form of execution.
Brad Sigmon’s choice reflects growing concerns among death row inmates about lethal injection protocols. His lawyer noted that Sigmon opted for shooting due to worries over potential complications associated with lethal injections. The execution took place at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, S.C., where he faced three options: lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad.
- Sigmon was convicted in connection with the brutal murder of David and Gladys Larke.
- This case dates back to 2001 when he killed them with a baseball bat.
- The last known execution by firing squad occurred in Utah in 2010.
In summary, Brad Sigmon’s execution by firing squad represents a significant moment in South Carolina’s legal history and highlights ongoing debates surrounding methods of capital punishment across the United States.
This event underscores changing dynamics within U.S. capital punishment practices as states adapt their methods amidst evolving public sentiment and logistical challenges regarding drug availability for executions.
