On Friday, March 7, 2025, a rare and solemn event unfolded in South Carolina that will be remembered for years to come. Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old inmate on death row, was executed by a three-man firing squad—a method not seen in the United States for 15 years. Sigmon was convicted of the brutal 2001 murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, a crime that led to his decades-long legal battle against the death penalty. Facing execution, he chose the firing squad over lethal injection, citing concerns that the drugs used in the injection process might fail, potentially causing unnecessary suffering. He feared an experience akin to being “burned and cooked alive” due to possible delays or malfunctions, a scenario he likened to an electric chair mishap. Ultimately, he stood before a small group of witnesses, including journalists, state officials, and victim family members, as the three executioners carried out the sentence in a stark and methodical manner. The execution was carried out in a designated chamber, where Sigmon was secured to a chair, hooded, and given the opportunity for final words before the fatal shots were fired.
This historic execution raises profound questions about the ethical, legal, and psychological dimensions of capital punishment. The use of a firing squad—viewed by some as archaic and others as a more humane alternative to lethal injection—rekindles debate over the most just and effective means of carrying out the death penalty. South Carolina’s return to this method underscores ongoing concerns about the availability and reliability of lethal injection drugs, as well as the moral dilemmas surrounding state-sanctioned death. Veteran journalist Jeffrey Collins, who has covered executions in South Carolina for over two decades, offers a critical perspective on how such methods affect not only the condemned but also the witnesses and executioners involved. His reporting provides a rare and chilling glimpse into the stark realities of capital punishment, illuminating the irreversible nature of this penalty and its lasting impact on society. As the nation continues to wrestle with the complexities of the death penalty, the case of Brad Sigmon stands as a haunting reminder of the weighty decisions that accompany justice and retribution.