Brad Sigmon chooses firing squad execution in South Carolina — First of its kind in 15 years

In an unprecedented move, Brad Sigmon, a death row inmate in South Carolina, has opted to be executed by firing squad on March 7, 2025. This decision marks the first time in 15 years that a U.S. prisoner will face execution by gunfire. Sigmon, convicted in 2001 for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend's parents, becomes the first South Carolina inmate to select this method after the state resumed executions following a 13-year hiatus. The state legislature had recently added firing squad as an option, alongside lethal injection and the electric chair, after difficulty obtaining lethal injection drugs.

Sigmon's choice has sparked widespread debate, as it underscores the growing concerns around the state's execution methods. Lawyers representing Sigmon have expressed their objections to both lethal injection and the electric chair, citing the inhumane risks involved with each method. South Carolina’s decision to include a firing squad as an execution option has drawn attention due to its violent nature and historical rarity. In this article, we explore Sigmon's case and the complex ethical considerations surrounding his final decision.

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Brad Sigmon's controversial choice

Brad Sigmon, who was convicted of the 2001 murders of David and Gladys Larke, his ex-girlfriend’s parents, is scheduled for execution on March 7, 2025, in South Carolina. Sigmon's brutal crime was committed after his ex-girlfriend ended their relationship. In a psychotic episode fueled by bipolar disorder, brain damage and a history of abuse, Sigmon killed the Larkes with a baseball bat and then kidnapped his ex-girlfriend. Despite his remorse and claims of mental illness, Sigmon’s appeals have failed, and he remains on death row​.

Sigmon's decision to face the firing squad has raised concerns about the state’s execution protocols. South Carolina lawmakers, in response to the state’s difficulty obtaining lethal injection drugs, introduced the firing squad as an alternative. It's the most recent addition to the state’s execution methods, which include the electric chair and lethal injection. However, experts and legal professionals have questioned whether the firing squad will be any more humane than other methods, which have often led to botched executions. Sigmon's choice comes after the state’s previous executions, which were marred by complications, including prolonged deaths​.

South Carolina's death penalty methods

One of the main reasons Sigmon rejected lethal injection was the troubling reports from prior executions. Witnesses and autopsy results from recent executions raised questions about whether the lethal injection drugs were administered correctly, with some inmates reportedly lingering for up to 20 minutes before being declared dead. ​Sigmon’s lawyers have argued that his selection of the firing squad, while violent, is the lesser evil compared to the uncertainty of lethal injection. However, they continue to challenge his conviction, citing mental health issues that were not adequately addressed during his trial​.

As South Carolina prepares to carry out its first firing squad execution since reintroducing the method, the state has implemented a series of safety measures to protect the witnesses and execution team. Bulletproof glass has been added to the viewing area, and a special firing squad chair has been installed in the death chamber. Sigmon will be strapped to the chair, with a hood over his head and a target placed over his heart. The three-member firing squad will then execute him from a distance of 15 feet​.