On March 7, South Carolina carried out a rare execution by firing squad, marking the first time in 15 years that this method was used in the United States.
The condemned inmate, 67-year-old Brad Sigmon, was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001 and had spent over two decades on death row.
Sigmon opted for the firing squad over lethal injection, citing concerns about the unpredictability of execution drugs and the possibility of prolonged suffering.
His decision revived a long-dormant execution method, sparking debate about the nature of capital punishment and what constitutes a humane death.
Veteran Associated Press reporter Jeffrey Collins, who has witnessed multiple executions, provided a detailed account of the procedure from start to finish.
Sigmon was strapped into a specially designed chair, dressed in a black jumpsuit, with a target affixed over his heart before the execution took place.
At 6:08 p.m., three anonymous shooters, concealed behind a black curtain, fired their rifles simultaneously, striking Sigmon’s chest.
Witnesses observed his body react violently to the gunfire, with involuntary movements and a visible red wound forming where the bullets hit.
Within minutes, a doctor entered the chamber, confirmed Sigmon had no pulse, and declared him dead, concluding the execution with clinical efficiency.
The firing squad’s immediacy stood in stark contrast to lethal injection, which has faced scrutiny due to reports of botched and painful executions.
Collins noted the intense atmosphere in the room, describing the moment as both swift and brutally final, reinforcing the visceral reality of capital punishment.
The execution reignited debate over the ethics of state-sanctioned death, with critics arguing that all methods, including firing squads, remain inhumane.
Supporters countered that the firing squad is a more reliable and instantaneous method compared to lethal injection, which has been fraught with legal and logistical issues.
Public reaction has been deeply divided, reflecting the broader, long-standing controversy over the role of capital punishment in the U.S. justice system.
As South Carolina reintroduces this method, the debate over executions continues, raising critical questions about justice, humanity, and the future of the death penalty.