Brad Sigmon, 67, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina on Friday, becoming the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by this method. He had chosen the firing squad over the electric chair or lethal injection.
Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. after three volunteer prison employees used rifles to carry out the execution. He was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in their Greenville County home in 2001, in a failed attempt to kidnap their daughter.
READ: Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested For Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery
Sigmon’s lawyers stated he chose the firing squad because he believed the electric chair would “cook him alive,” and he feared lethal injection would cause a painful drowning sensation.
During the execution, Sigmon wore a black jumpsuit with a hood and a white target with a red bullseye on his chest. The three armed prison employees stood 15 feet away, firing simultaneously through openings in a wall. Witnesses observed the execution through bullet-resistant glass.
The shots produced a loud bang, and Sigmon’s arms briefly tensed. A red stain appeared on his chest, and small amounts of tissue were visible from the wound. A doctor pronounced him dead after a 90-second examination.
READ: Polar Vortex Could Bring Late-March Cold Blast To Millions Across US
Witnesses included family members of the victims, Sigmon’s attorney and spiritual advisor, a representative from the prosecuting solicitor’s office, a sheriff’s investigator, and members of the media.
Sigmon delivered a final statement, calling for an end to the death penalty. His last meal consisted of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
