COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a significant event in the history of capital punishment in the United States, South Carolina executed Brad Sigmon by firing squad on March 7, 2025. Sigmon’s execution marked the first use of this method in the nation in 15 years, casting light on the ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty.

Execution Details

Brad Sigmon, 67, was pronounced dead at 6:08 PM after three volunteer prison employees fired rifles at him from a distance of 15 feet in the state’s death chamber, which also houses an unused electric chair. His last moments were marked by heavy breathing prior to the execution.

The Crime

Sigmon was convicted in 2001 for the brutal murder of David and Gladys Larke in their Greenville County home. The murders were part of a failed plan to kidnap the Larkes’ daughter, whom Sigmon intended to take for a romantic weekend before committing murder-suicide.

Choice of Execution Method

Sigmon opted for the firing squad, believing it to be a more humane alternative compared to the electric chair or lethal injection. His attorneys reported that he feared the electric chair would “cook him alive” and worried about the possibility of experiencing drowning sensations from lethal injection.

Legal Proceedings

Days before his execution, Sigmon’s legal team sought to halt the execution based on concerns about South Carolina’s secretive lethal injection protocols, but the state’s Supreme Court denied the request.

Final Moments

During the execution, Sigmon wore a black jumpsuit and had a hood placed over his head, with a target emblazoned on his chest. Witnesses, including family members of the victims and media representatives, observed the event from behind bullet-resistant glass. The simultaneous gunfire caused a noticeable reaction among those present.

Public Response and Protests

Outside the prison, a group of protesters gathered, expressing their opposition to the death penalty with signs reading “All life is precious” and “Execute justice not people.” Advocates for Sigmon had urged Governor Henry McMaster to commute his sentence, emphasizing his good conduct while incarcerated and his mental health struggles.

Historical Context

The firing squad has a contentious history as an execution method, having been utilized in various contexts throughout history, including military discipline and state sanctioning of executions. In the modern era, only a few executions by firing squad have occurred in the United States since 1977—the last being Ronnie Lee Gardner in Utah in 2010.

Looking Ahead

Following Sigmon’s execution, South Carolina continues to have 28 inmates on death row. The state recently resumed executions after a lengthy hiatus, with a new execution scheduled approximately every five weeks.