A Grim Revival: The Execution of Brad Sigmon by Firing Squad

The First Firing Squad Execution in 15 Years

In a chilling revival of a historically violent method, Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old inmate in South Carolina, was executed by firing squad on Friday, March 7, 2025. This marked the first time in 15 years that the United States has carried out an execution by this method. Sigmon, who had been on death row for over two decades, was convicted of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in their Greenville County home in 2001. The execution, which was met with both legal and public scrutiny, reignites debates over capital punishment and the ethics of execution methods in the 21st century.

The Choice of Firing Squad: A Preferable End to Suffering

Sigmon’s decision to opt for the firing squad was not taken lightly. His legal team revealed that he chose this method over the electric chair or lethal injection due to his deep-seated fears of the latter two. He reportedly believed that the electric chair would “cook him alive,” while lethal injection could cause a painful and traumatic death by drowning in his own fluids. South Carolina, like a few other states, allows inmates to choose between execution methods, and Sigmon’s choice reflects the grim reality of how executions are carried out in the U.S. The state’s lethal injection process remains shrouded in secrecy, which Sigmon’s lawyers argued could lead to an inhumane death. Despite their efforts, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied his request to delay the execution.

The Execution: A Violent Spectacle

The execution took place in the state’s death chamber, where Sigmon was dressed in a black jumpsuit and hood. A white target with a red bullseye was placed over his chest, and he was seated just 15 feet away from three volunteer prison employees who carried out the execution. The witnesses, including family members of the victims, reporters, and legal representatives, were separated from the chamber by bullet-resistant glass. The firing squad fired simultaneously, causing a deafening bang that made some witnesses flinch. Sigmon’s body tensed upon impact, and the target was blasted off his chest. He appeared to take a few final breaths before a doctor pronounced him dead at 6:08 p.m.

A Troubled History: Firing Squads in the U.S.

The use of firing squads as a method of execution has a long and bloody history. Once a common practice in the U.S., particularly in the Old West, it has largely fallen out of favor in modern times. Since 1977, only three other inmates have been executed by firing squad in the U.S., all in Utah. The most recent was Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. The method is often criticized for its brutality and lack of humanity, but some argue it is more transparent than lethal injection or the electric chair. For Sigmon, the choice of firing squad was a desperate attempt to avoid what he perceived as a more agonizing death.

Protest and Advocacy: A Call to End the Death Penalty

Sigmon’s execution was met with widespread condemnation from advocates of abolition. Vivian Lovingood, one of the protesters outside the prison, held a sign reading “All life is precious,” while others prayed and called for an end to capital punishment. Sigmon’s lawyers and supporters, including his spiritual advisor, argue that he was a reformed man who had dedicated his life to faith and ministry while incarcerated. They urged Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to commute his sentence to life in prison, citing his mental health issues at the time of the crime and his model behavior in prison. However, McMaster, who has never commuted a death sentence during his tenure, denied the request.

The Ongoing Debate: The Future of Capital Punishment in South Carolina

Sigmon’s execution comes as South Carolina resumes carrying out capital punishment after a 13-year hiatus. The state’s death penalty had been on hold due to legal challenges and difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow executions to resume has led to three executions since September 2024, with more scheduled in the coming months. Currently, 28 inmates remain on South Carolina’s death row, including two who have exhausted their appeals and are likely to be executed soon. While some argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime, others, including Sigmon’s lawyer, argue that it is a barbaric practice that has no place in modern society. Brad Sigmon’s final statement, read by his lawyer, was a plea to fellow Christians to work toward ending capital punishment. His execution, while lawful, has left many questioning the morality and necessity of such a violent spectacle in 2025.