trends

Mikal Mahdi executed by firing squad in South Carolina for off-duty officer’s brutal murder

Mikal Mahdi was executed by firing squad in South Carolina for the 2004 brutal murder of off-duty police officer Capt. James Myers. This marks South Carolina's second firing squad execution this year.

Mikal Mahdi executed by firing squad in South Carolina for the brutal murder of Officer James Myers. Photo: GLR composition/ People & The Conversation
Mikal Mahdi executed by firing squad in South Carolina for the brutal murder of Officer James Myers. Photo: GLR composition/ People & The Conversation

On Friday, South Carolina carried out the execution of Mikal Mahdi, who was convicted for the 2004 murder of off-duty officer Capt. James Myers. Mahdi, 42, was executed by firing squad, marking the state's second such execution this year.

This event is part of the ongoing use of the controversial method of execution, which has been revived in recent years in several U.S. states.

Mikal Mahdi's execution

Mikal Mahldi's sentence was carried out at 6:05 p.m. ET with 3 voluntary corrections staff member shooting at a target on his heart at the same time.

 Mikal Mahdi shot Myers 9 times and the set his body on fire. Photo: People

Mikal Mahdi shot Myers 9 times and the set his body on fire. Photo: People

The execution followed all protocols. He was seated on a restrained metal chair and had a hood placed over his head. Mahdi was pronounced dead shortly after.

Why was Mikal Mahdi executed?

Mahdi was sentenced to death, he committed the murder of Capt. James Myers, in 2004. However, it was not the only one he was responsible for. At 21 years old, Mahdi stole a neighbor's gun and station wagon in Virginia and headed to North Carolina, where he shot gas station clerk Christopher Jason Boggs.

Later in Columbia, he tried to get gas with a rejected credit card, and when the store clerk realized, he called the police. This prompted Mahdi to flee, and he arrived at Myers' property. Here he found his guns and waited for him to arrive.

Myers had been celebrating with his wife on his property when Mahdi ambushed him and shot him 9 times, poured fuel on his body and set him on fire before stealing his police truck and multiple guns.

The most recent

Pam Bondi raises alarm over illegal Iranian immigrants after Iran–U.S. escalation

Pam Bondi raises alarm over illegal Iranian immigrants after Iran–U.S. escalation

Jun 24 2025 | 2:52 h

FIFA Club World Cup: Where to watch Benfica vs Bayern Munich?

FIFA Club World Cup: Where to watch Benfica vs Bayern Munich?

Jun 24 2025 | 2:28 h

Trump announces “complete and total” Israel‑Iran ceasefire after Middle East escalation

Trump announces “complete and total” Israel‑Iran ceasefire after Middle East escalation

Jun 24 2025 | 1:29 h

FIFA Club World Cup: Where to watch Flamengo vs Chelsea?

FIFA Club World Cup: Where to watch Flamengo vs Chelsea?

Jun 24 2025 | 1:10 h

McDonalds will face a boycott over DEI programs rollback

McDonalds will face a boycott over DEI programs rollback

Jun 24 2025 | 0:52 h

Trump downplays Iran strike on U.S. base in Qatar, thanks Tehran for advance notice

Trump downplays Iran strike on U.S. base in Qatar, thanks Tehran for advance notice

Jun 23 2025 | 23:25 h

US strikes on Iran push airlines to reroute flights as Middle East airspace shrinks

US strikes on Iran push airlines to reroute flights as Middle East airspace shrinks

Jun 23 2025 | 21:55 h

Oil plunges 4% after Iran's attack to U.S. bases

Oil plunges 4% after Iran's attack to U.S. bases

Jun 23 2025 | 20:53 h

Why did Iran target this U.S. Base in Qatar? inside Al‑Udeid Air Base

Why did Iran target this U.S. Base in Qatar? inside Al‑Udeid Air Base

Jun 23 2025 | 19:25 h

Iran attacks US military base in Qatar

Iran attacks US military base in Qatar

Jun 23 2025 | 18:58 h

JD Vance: "We will respond with overwhelming force"

JD Vance: "We will respond with overwhelming force"

Jun 23 2025 | 18:49 h

‘Make Iran great again’: Trump hints at regime change after U.S. strikes

‘Make Iran great again’: Trump hints at regime change after U.S. strikes

Jun 23 2025 | 18:42 h