South Carolina is set to resume executions by firing squad, with the execution of inmate Brad Keith Sigmon scheduled for April 20, 2025. This marks the first use of this method since 2017 when the last firing squad execution occurred. South Carolina’s Department of Corrections also stated that it had exhausted all efforts to obtain lethal injection drugs, which are crucial for the state’s execution protocol. The use of firing squads has ignited debates concerning the ethical implications and the effectiveness of this method compared to lethal injection. Governor Henry McMaster expressed support for implementing the firing squad, stating, ‘It is time to move forward with taking the lives of those criminals who have taken the lives of others.’ According to legal experts, the move comes amid a national scrutiny over capital punishment practices in the U.S. South Carolina law mandates that inmates facing execution must choose between lethal injection and the firing squad, leading to increased focus on those who are on death row. The decision has drawn reactions from various advocacy groups, particularly those opposed to capital punishment, arguing that firing squads are inhumane. ‘This is a step backward in our pursuit of humane treatment,’ said Marsha Thompson, a member of the South Carolina Coalition for Justice. Despite ongoing controversies, public opinion appears to be divided regarding the use of the firing squad as a method of execution, with some residents expressing a belief in the necessity of capital punishment for heinous crimes. The reinstitution of this practice highlights the complex interplay of justice, morality, and societal values in the realm of capital punishment.
South Carolina Plans First Execution by Firing Squad Since 2017
