Brad Sigmon, convicted of the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend's parents, became the first U.S. inmate executed by firing squad since 2010, stirring debates on capital punishment in America.
First US Inmate Executed by Firing Squad in 15 Years: A Historical Moment
First US Inmate Executed by Firing Squad in 15 Years: A Historical Moment
South Carolina man, Brad Sigmon, faces execution by firing squad, marking a rare occurrence in American justice.
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man from South Carolina, was executed by firing squad on Friday evening, becoming the first inmate to face this method of execution in the U.S. in 15 years. Sigmon was convicted for the 2001 murders of David and Gladys Larke, killing them with a baseball bat before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, who managed to escape amid gunfire.
Having chosen death by firing squad over other methods, Sigmon was shot around 6:01 PM local time by three volunteers with rifles using specialized bullets. Chrysti Shain of the South Carolina Department of Corrections confirmed he was pronounced dead shortly after, at 6:08 PM. Three family members of the Larke's were present for the execution.
Prior to his death, Sigmon made a poignant final statement expressing love and apology, quoting biblical scripture to denounce the death penalty. He remarked, "We no longer live under the Old Testament law, but now live under the New Testament." Witnesses reported that Sigmon was strapped to a chair designed to collect blood, with a target placed over his heart before the executioners fired without a countdown.
Further details reveal that Sigmon's last meal was intended to be a communal gesture, as he requested three buckets of original recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken to share with fellow inmates. His lawyer, Bo King, sought a last-minute stay of execution, citing his client's mental illness and rehabilitation during incarceration.
Anti-death penalty activists rallied outside the prison, highlighting moral concerns surrounding capital punishment, holding signs that read "all life is precious" and, "thou shalt not kill." Medical experts have raised questions regarding the pain inflicted by the specially designed bullets, which are intended to cause maximum damage upon impact.
Since 1977, only three individuals have been executed by firing squad in the U.S., with the last known case occurring in Utah in 2010. This method's resumption in South Carolina comes in the context of various states grappling with issues related to lethal injection protocols and the transparency of execution processes. Additionally, a law was passed in 2023 in South Carolina to conceal the identities of execution team members, reflecting the complexities surrounding the death penalty in America today.
