Historic Execution in Columbia, South Carolina

News Summary

On March 7, 2025, Brad Sigmon became the first person executed by firing squad in the U.S. in 15 years. This case highlights ongoing debates around capital punishment and its moral implications, evoking strong reactions from the community and advocates against the death penalty.

Columbia, South Carolina: A Historic Execution

On the evening of March 7, 2025, history was made in Columbia, South Carolina, when Brad Sigmon became the first person executed by firing squad in the United States in 15 years. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing debate around capital punishment, shedding light on the life and crimes of a man who had been on death row for over two decades.

The Crime That Shook a Community

In 2001, Sigmon committed a heinous act that forever altered the lives of many. He was convicted of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, using a baseball bat. This tragic crime left a deep scar on the families involved and has since sparked ongoing discussions around the complexities of love, obsession, and rage.

A Grim Execution

At precisely 6:05 p.m. on that fateful day, Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. inside the Broad River Correctional Institution. He was blindfolded and strapped to a chair, with a target placed on his chest. Three volunteer prison employees stood 15 feet away, ready to carry out the execution, each firing simultaneously. It was a procedure shrouded in solemnity, witnessed by a dozen individuals observing from behind bullet-resistant glass, unable to see the faces of the executioners.

Last Requests and Reactions

As is customary, Sigmon was granted a last meal, which he requested to be quite hearty. His meal included four pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea. In a gesture towards camaraderie, he also asked for three buckets of Original Recipe KFC to share with fellow inmates — a request that was denied. This particular detail adds a humanizing layer to an otherwise grim narrative.

A Final Plea

In his last moments, Sigmon used his voice to call upon fellow Christians to advocate for an end to the death penalty. He spoke on themes derived from various Bible passages that spoke against such practices. It seems even amid his demise, Sigmon sought to spark conversations, using his final statement to communicate his beliefs.

Legal Battles and Denials

Hours prior to the execution, the U.S. Supreme Court examined an emergency motion to postpone the event but ultimately declined to intervene. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also denied clemency, despite appeals from Sigmon’s attorneys that highlighted his behavior as a model prisoner and his ongoing struggles with mental health issues. His attorneys had expressed significant concerns about the previous botched lethal injections and called for transparency regarding the drugs used in those executions. Yet, their efforts were in vain.

A Resumption of the Death Penalty

This execution marked the resumption of death penalty procedures in South Carolina after a lengthy pause of 13 years, primarily due to the challenges of obtaining lethal injection drugs. South Carolina law permits execution methods including firing squad, electric chair, and lethal injection. Of note, the electric chair has been the default method unless another option has been explicitly chosen.

A Growing Debate

Sigmon’s execution has reignited conversations regarding the death penalty, particularly the firing squad method, which some find far more brutal than lethal injection. This event also prompted a wave of protests as advocates against capital punishment highlighted the ethical and moral implications surrounding such methods.

The Victims’ Families and Community Response

Families of David and Gladys Larke have conveyed mixed feelings about the outcome of the execution. While some expressed support for the judicial decision, others, including Rebecca Armstrong, Sigmon’s ex-girlfriend, made the choice not to witness the event. This illustrates the complexity of emotions surrounding crime and punishment, reminding us that justice can often present a tangled web of personal feelings.

As Columbia processes this profound event, the community reflects on the far-reaching implications of the justice system and the controversial nature of capital punishment, while also remembering the lives lost and forever changed due to violent crime.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CNN
• BBC News
• The New York Times
• Associated Press
• WSPA News
• Wikipedia: Death penalty in the United States
• Google Search: Brad Sigmon execution
• Google Scholar: capital punishment firing squad
• Encyclopedia Britannica: capital punishment
• Google News: firing squad South Carolina