Brad Sigmon Executed by Firing Squad in South Carolina

South Carolina has executed 67-year-old inmate Brad Sigmon by firing squad, on March 8, 2025, marking the first execution of its kind in the United States since 2010. Sigmon was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001, a brutal crime that involved the use of a baseball bat.

The execution took place at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. Officials confirmed that three volunteer prison staff members carried out the execution, firing at Sigmon’s heart from close range.

The Decision for Firing Squad

Sigmon chose the firing squad over lethal injection due to concerns regarding the effectiveness and potential complications associated with that method. He was secured to a chair, with a black hood covering his head prior to the execution.

A Last-Minute Appeal

Earlier in the day, a last-minute appeal to halt the execution was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, further emphasizing the state’s determination to proceed with capital punishment despite ongoing debates about its morality and methods.

The Crime that Led to the Death Sentence

In 2001, Sigmon brutally murdered David and Gladys Larke, both in their sixties, in an act fueled by personal turmoil and mental illness. Sigmon admitted to the crime and expressed remorse for his actions, yet was sentenced to death.

Outcry and Protests

The execution has sparked protests, with many arguing against the death penalty, labeling it an inhumane form of punishment. Activists contend that executions, especially by firing squad, should not occur in modern society.

As the execution drew close, emotions ran high, both inside the correctional institution and among protestors gathered outside. Calls for the abolition of the death penalty echo louder as cases like Sigmon’s remind society of the complexity surrounding capital punishment.

A Reflection on Justice

Brad Sigmon’s execution raises pertinent questions about the fairness and morality of capital punishment in the United States. While some view it as a form of justice for heinous crimes, others see it as an outdated and inhumane practice.

As South Carolina implements these methods of punishment, the need for a national conversation about the future of the death penalty becomes increasingly significant. Why do some states continue to uphold such practices, and at what cost to societal moral standards?