First Firing Squad Execution in 15 Years: The Case of Brad Sigmon

Brad Sigmon, convicted of a double murder in South Carolina, was executed by firing squad, marking a significant moment in U.S. capital punishment history. This event has sparked conversations around the morality and methods of execution, as well as the broader implications of the death penalty.

In a landmark execution that has resonated throughout the United States, Brad Sigmon, a man convicted of the heinous murder of his ex-girlfriend's parents, became the first inmate executed by firing squad in fifteen years. Sigmon, 67, met his fate on Friday at 6:00 PM local time, when three volunteers shot him with specially designed bullets aimed at his chest.

Convicted in 2001 for the brutal killings of David and Gladys Larke, Sigmon also faced charges for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, who narrowly escaped his violent grasp. Sigmon chose firing squad as his method of execution, opting against the more conventional electric chair and lethal injection. According to Chrysti Shain of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, he was pronounced dead by medical personnel at precisely 6:08 PM.

Witnesses included three members of the Larke family. Before his execution, Sigmon delivered a poignant statement expressing love and remorse, referencing biblical teachings to argue against the death penalty. "We no longer live under the Old Testament law, but now live under the New Testament," he proclaimed.

Strapped into a chair equipped with a basin to catch blood, Sigmon's execution was conducted swiftly. The curtain concealing the execution team was drawn back at 6:01 PM, and mere moments later, the volunteers fired without any countdown, a technique designed for efficiency. A red bullseye target over his heart guided the shooters.

Eyewitness accounts described the scene: Sigmon's body reflexively tensing with the shots, while a doctor quickly assessed his condition before officially declaring his death. Observers reported that prison guards distributed earplugs to attendees, mitigating the sound of gunfire.

Sigmon's attorney, Bo King, had expressed hopes of a last-minute reprieve, claiming his client had been affected by mental illness and had shown signs of rehabilitation during his time in custody. He remarked on Sigmon's compassionate request for his last meal, stating that Sigmon desired to share Kentucky Fried Chicken with fellow inmates.

Historically, firing squad executions have been rare; since 1977, only three individuals have faced this method, all executed in Utah, the last being Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. Ahead of Sigmon's execution, protests against the death penalty took place outside the prison, with demonstrators advocating for the sanctity of life.

In 2023, South Carolina passed legislation ensuring the anonymity of execution team members, a move that has stirred further debate regarding transparency in capital punishment procedures. The bullets used for the execution are engineered to disintegrate upon impact, raising questions about the level of pain caused during the act—a critical discussion among medical experts and human rights advocates alike.