Abolish or reinstate? South Carolina’s first firing squad execution in 15 years sparks debate

South Carolina has carried out its first execution by firing squad in 15 years, putting to death Brad Sigmon on Friday evening. The 67-year-old was convicted of the 2001 double homicide of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in Greenville County. The execution marks the state’s return to capital punishment methods after years of legal battles over lethal injection drug shortages.

Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. after three prison officers fired their rifles at his chest. The execution was conducted in a designated chamber at Broad River Correctional Institution, where witnesses, including members of the victims’ family, observed the process through bullet-resistant glass.

Firing Squad Execution: Why Sigmon Chose This Method

The convicted killer opted for the firing squad over the electric chair, arguing that electrocution would “cook him alive” and that lethal injection could result in a prolonged, painful death. His legal team had previously challenged South Carolina’s execution protocols, citing concerns over the secrecy surrounding the state’s lethal injection drug supply. However, the state Supreme Court denied his appeal just a day before the execution.

Sigmon was dressed in a black jumpsuit with a hood placed over his head and a white target with a red bullseye pinned to his chest. The three volunteer executioners fired simultaneously from a distance of 15 feet. The shots reportedly caused his arms to tense, and the force of impact tore the target off his chest. Witnesses described the gunfire as a loud and jarring noise, with Sigmon appearing to take a final breath after being hit. A prison doctor confirmed his death shortly afterward.

Death Row and the Return of Capital Punishment in South Carolina

South Carolina was once one of the most active death penalty states in the U.S., averaging three executions per year in the early 2000s. However, a lack of access to lethal injection drugs led to a 13-year pause in executions. Last year, the state Supreme Court lifted the suspension, allowing capital punishment to resume.

Sigmon’s execution follows the deaths of three other inmates since the moratorium was lifted: Freddie Owens, executed on September 20, Richard Moore, executed on November 1, and Marion Bowman Jr., executed on January 31. The state now plans to conduct executions every five weeks, with 28 prisoners currently on death row.

Despite the state’s renewed commitment to capital punishment, legal challenges continue. Defense attorneys argue that execution methods such as firing squads and the electric chair constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Additionally, advocates for Sigmon had petitioned Republican Governor Henry McMaster for clemency, citing his record as a model prisoner and his deep religious transformation. However, the request was denied.

Public Reaction and the Future of Capital Punishment

Sigmon’s execution reignited the debate over the death penalty, with protesters gathering outside the prison holding signs that read “All Life is Precious” and “Execute Justice, Not People.” Death penalty opponents argue that executions fail as a deterrent and often disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Meanwhile, proponents of capital punishment argue that justice has been served, especially for the families of victims. The Larke family members present at the execution did not make public statements but were reportedly present as witnesses.

Gerald “Bo” King, a public defender specializing in death penalty cases, said that Sigmon used his final words to call on religious leaders and lawmakers to abolish capital punishment.

“It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle,” King said in a statement. “Brad admitted his guilt, showed remorse, and spent his final years in faith and service. Yet, the state chose to end his life in a public display of violence.”

The Controversial History of Firing Squad Executions

Firing squad executions have a long and violent history in the U.S. and globally. Historically, they were used in military settings to punish desertion and mutiny. Countries such as the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany also used firing squads as political repression tools.

Since 1977, only three other U.S. prisoners have been executed by firing squad, all in Utah. The most recent case was Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. Another Utah inmate, Ralph Menzies, is currently awaiting a decision on whether his dementia disqualifies him from execution.

South Carolina now stands among the few states actively enforcing capital punishment, with its execution schedule set to continue. Two additional death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and could be next to face execution as early as this spring.

Sigmon’s Final Moments and Last Meal

Before his execution, Sigmon had a final meal consisting of four pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea. His attorney read a closing statement in which Sigmon expressed love and called upon fellow Christians to support the end of capital punishment.

Despite ongoing debates, South Carolina shows no signs of slowing its execution schedule. With a shrinking death row population and legal challenges on the horizon, the future of capital punishment in the state remains uncertain.