Historic Firing Squad Execution
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On March 7, 2025, South Carolina executed Brad Keith Sigmon by firing squad, marking the first time this method has been used in the state. Sigmon, convicted of the brutal murders of a couple in 2001, opted for this method due to concerns over lethal injection. His execution has sparked significant controversy and discussions about the implications of capital punishment, mental health, and justice in America.
On the evening of March 7, 2025, South Carolina made history as it carried out the first execution by firing squad in the state. Brad Keith Sigmon, a 67-year-old man, was executed at the Broad River Correctional Institution at precisely 6:08 p.m. ET. This event not only marks a significant milestone for South Carolina but also represents the first use of this method of execution anywhere in the United States since 2010.
Sigmon was convicted for the brutal murders of a couple, Gladys and William David Larke, who died in 2001 after being bludgeoned with a baseball bat. The horrors surrounding the case have left a mark on the community. Initially, his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbare, had been living with him until she moved in with her parents, an action that sparked a violent reaction from Sigmon. Following the murders, he kidnapped Barbare, who was able to escape with a gunshot wound to her foot. These tragic events led to his sentencing and eventual execution.
In a surprising twist, Sigmon decided to opt for the firing squad as his method of execution instead of lethal injection or the electric chair. He cited doubts about the reliability of lethal injection as a reason for his choice. The firing squad consists of three correctional staff members who are positioned about 15 feet away, aiming their rifles at Sigmon’s heart while he was restrained in a metal chair, complete with a hood over his head.
Sigmon’s lawyer, Gerald “Bo” King, described the execution as deeply disturbing, highlighting issues of transparency surrounding the drugs used in lethal injections. Sigmon’s death was characterized as both horrifying and violent, raising questions about the method and its implications. The execution process itself had gathered attention, with demonstrators appearing outside the prison to protest capital punishment, echoing calls for an end to such methods.
In his final moments, Sigmon expressed a desire to see the death penalty abolished and quoted passages that highlight themes of forgiveness. He admitted guilt during his trial and showed evident remorse for the pain he had caused, emphasizing his regret for his actions. Remarkably, Sigmon became the second inmate to be executed in South Carolina in 2025, and at 67, he held the title of the oldest person executed by the state.
Interestingly, South Carolina began allowing executions by firing squad back in 2021, joining states such as Utah, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Idaho in offering this as a method of capital punishment. The last execution by firing squad in the United States before Sigmon’s was that of Ronnie Lee Gardner in Utah back in 2010. Sigmon’s case has drawn attention not only for its brutality but also for the conversations it sparks regarding mental illness, justice, and societal safety. His attorney argued that after serving 23 years in prison, Sigmon posed no danger to society, a statement that inevitably invites heated debate.
The execution of Brad Keith Sigmon has rocked South Carolina and sparked discussions that reach far beyond the prison walls. The choice of firing squad serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding capital punishment, the human struggles with forgiveness, and the ongoing conversations about justice in America.
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