On March 7, 2025, Brad Sigmon, a death row inmate convicted of a double murder, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina. This method had not been employed in the state for 15 years and marked only the fourth execution by firing squad in the United States since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. Sigmon’s execution represents a significant and somber event in the history of the American penal system, highlighting the evolving methods of execution and the ongoing debates surrounding capital punishment in the country.
In 2002, Sigmon was found guilty of the brutal murders of David and Gladys Larke, the parents of his ex-girlfriend. The crime was marked by extreme violence, as Sigmon attacked the couple with a baseball bat in a fit of rage following his breakup. The premeditated and cruel nature of the assault led to a conviction that resulted in a death sentence, alongside two consecutive life sentences and an additional 30-year term for first-degree burglary. Despite attempts by his legal team to have the death sentence commuted to life imprisonment, the jury upheld the death penalty, reflecting the court’s view of the severity of his actions.
Over the two decades that Sigmon spent on death row, the legal landscape in South Carolina evolved, particularly regarding execution methods. In a state where condemned inmates can choose their method of execution, Sigmon’s decision to opt for the firing squad was both personal and symbolic. His choice came during a time when lethal injection faced scrutiny for its potential to cause prolonged suffering, leading to concerns about the humanity of various execution methods.
The firing squad had not been used in South Carolina for 15 years, making Sigmon’s execution a rare occurrence. Prior to this, only three other inmates had been executed by this method since 1976, placing his case in a historically significant context. His execution not only concluded his life but also reintroduced a controversial method of capital punishment into contemporary discussions.
On the day of his execution, Sigmon was escorted into the death chamber at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia. The execution process was highly structured, with Sigmon being hooded and dressed in a black jumpsuit. A target was affixed over his heart, emphasizing the clinical nature of the procedure. He was securely strapped into a metal chair positioned over a catch basin designed to contain bodily fluids, underscoring the finality of the state’s decision.
Three volunteers from the state corrections department served as executioners, armed with .308-caliber rifles. They stood 15 feet away from the target area, their positions concealed from witnesses to maintain a level of detachment. At precisely 6:05 p.m., the executioners discharged their rifles simultaneously, delivering a fatal blow. A medical officer entered the chamber shortly after to verify Sigmon’s vital signs, declaring him dead at 6:08 p.m.
One of the most poignant aspects of Sigmon’s execution was his final statement, which reflected his personal transformation during his time on death row. He invoked biblical verses to challenge the notion of retributive justice, calling for mercy and an end to the death penalty. Sigmon’s remarks highlighted the moral inconsistencies of capital punishment, arguing that it contradicts the compassionate teachings of the New Testament.
His final words served as both a farewell and a public appeal, urging fellow Christians to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. Sigmon criticized the “eye for an eye” philosophy, asserting that such retribution was outdated and incompatible with modern values of mercy and forgiveness. His statement encapsulated a complex internal struggle over his own culpability and the broader ethics of capital punishment.
The execution of Brad Sigmon by firing squad has reignited discussions about the morality and humanity of the death penalty. It raises critical questions about the purpose of capital punishment and whether it serves as a means of justice or merely perpetuates a cycle of violence. As society grapples with these issues, Sigmon’s case stands as a powerful reminder of the complexities surrounding the death penalty and the ongoing debates about its place in the American justice system.