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South Carolina Executes Inmate by Firing Squad

South Carolina Firing Squad Execution Facility

News Summary

In a historic event, South Carolina executed Brad Sigmon by firing squad, marking the first use of this method in the state. Sigmon, convicted of double murder, opted for this method amid concerns over lethal injection. His execution reflects ongoing debates around capital punishment and its methods in the U.S. The firing squad was legalized in South Carolina as a response to the struggles of sourcing lethal injection drugs. Sigmon’s case is set to influence future discussions on the death penalty in the state.

South Carolina witnessed a significant moment in its judicial history on March 7, 2025, as Brad Sigmon, 67, became the first inmate to be executed by firing squad in the state. Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. at the Broad River Correctional Institution, just moments after the execution team opened fire at 6:05 p.m.. This unprecedented execution follows South Carolina’s legalization of the firing squad in 2021, a decision made due to challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs.

Sigmon’s execution was a culmination of various legal battles and significant public discourse regarding capital punishment. He was the oldest inmate executed by the state and had been on death row since his conviction in 2002 for the brutal double murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents. The execution method chosen by Sigmon—firing squad—was influenced by his concerns over lethal injection protocols, which had been marred by reports of botched executions. Legal representatives stated that Sigmon opted for this method to avoid the potential for a torturous death that had occurred in previous executions.

Upon his execution, Sigmon was secured in a specially designed chair with his ankles restrained. A target was affixed over his heart, allowing for clear shots by the executioners. In his final statement, Sigmon expressed love and a plea for the abolition of the death penalty, reflecting on his prior ignorance during his trial. His lawyer described the execution as “horrifying and violent,” reiterating that Sigmon’s selection of the firing squad was to prevent possible suffering.

Prior to the execution, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster denied a clemency request from Sigmon, and the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently refused to stay the execution. Outside the prison, approximately 30 protesters gathered, including the brother of a man who faced execution by firing squad in 2010, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding capital punishment in the state.

The execution of Sigmon occurred under the framework established by a 2021 law, which requires condemned inmates to select from three methods of execution: firing squad, lethal injection, or electrocution. The introduction of the firing squad was partly a response to difficulties in sourcing lethal injection drugs, with a shield law designed to maintain confidentiality regarding drug procurement contributing to this issue.

Support for the firing squad as an execution method has emerged from various quarters. Some attorneys, including former prosecutor Richard Harpootlian, have posited that firing squads represent a less barbaric option when compared to other methods, such as the electric chair. Legal expert Deborah Denno has suggested that execution by firing squad may ultimately result in a quicker and less inhumane death, raising discussions about the evolving perceptions of execution methods in the U.S.

Throughout his time on death row, Sigmon had acknowledged his guilt regarding the 2002 murders and pointed to factors like mental illness and childhood trauma as significant influences on his actions. Legal arguments made during his trial that challenged the effectiveness of his counsel concerning his mental health history were not adequately presented, casting shadows over the legal proceedings that led to his sentencing.

The case of Brad Sigmon and his execution by firing squad is poised to influence ongoing discussions regarding the death penalty in South Carolina and beyond. The implications of this historic execution will likely resonate through legal, ethical, and societal discourse as the state grapples with its approach to capital punishment in the years to come.