Columbia, SC – In a historic and controversial decision, South Carolina officials have scheduled the execution of a convicted double murderer by firing squad. The execution, set to take place at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, will be the first use of a firing squad in the state and the first such execution in the United States in over 15 years. The decision comes amid renewed debates over capital punishment, the availability of lethal injection drugs, and the rights of death row inmates.
Background on the Case and Conviction
The condemned inmate was convicted of two counts of murder for the brutal killings of two victims. Prosecutors described the crime as particularly heinous, citing evidence that the victims were bound, tortured, and executed in a premeditated fashion.
During the trial, the jury deliberated for only a few hours before convicting him and sentencing him to death. Over the years, he exhausted all available appeals, including petitions to the South Carolina Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to intervene in the case.
The execution was initially scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed due to legal challenges over the state’s execution methods. With lethal injection drugs in short supply, South Carolina reinstated the firing squad as an alternative method for carrying out capital punishment.
South Carolina’s Execution Laws and the Firing Squad Option
South Carolina law provides death row inmates with a choice between electrocution, lethal injection, or firing squad. In 2021, lawmakers revised the state’s death penalty laws due to the unavailability of lethal injection drugs, effectively making the electric chair the default execution method unless the inmate selects firing squad.
Under the new policy:
- The firing squad consists of three volunteer corrections officers armed with rifles loaded with live ammunition.
- The condemned inmate will be seated, restrained, and fitted with a hood before a small target is placed over the heart.
- The officers will fire simultaneously, ensuring near-instantaneous death.
The execution will take place in a specially modified chamber at Broad River Correctional Institution, designed to accommodate the firing squad setup.
South Carolina is now one of only four U.S. states that allow executions by firing squad, alongside Utah, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
Legal Challenges and Ethical Controversy
The use of firing squad executions has long been a contentious issue in the United States. Critics argue that the method is outdated, barbaric, and violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Lawyers for the condemned man filed a last-minute appeal to halt the execution, citing concerns over the method’s pain and reliability. They claim that firing squad executions are inherently inhumane and that the state’s protocol has not been sufficiently tested.
However, South Carolina state officials defended the decision, arguing that firing squad executions are one of the most effective and least painful methods of carrying out the death penalty. Studies have shown that death by gunshot to the heart typically results in rapid unconsciousness and minimal suffering compared to electrocution or botched lethal injections.
Statements from Officials and Advocacy Groups
South Carolina Governor issued a statement emphasizing the importance of upholding the law:
“This execution is not about revenge—it is about justice. The victims’ families have waited far too long for this sentence to be carried out, and the state is committed to following through with its legal obligations.”
Meanwhile, death penalty opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International, have condemned the planned execution.
“Firing squad executions are a cruel relic of the past,” said a spokesperson from the ACLU, adding that “South Carolina’s decision to revert to such a brutal method reflects the ongoing failure of the death penalty system in America.”
The victims’ families, however, expressed relief that the execution is finally moving forward. One of the victim’s family members stated:
“We have suffered for years knowing that justice has been delayed. We just want closure, and we want to know that he will never hurt anyone else again.”
Historical Context: The Last Firing Squad Execution in the U.S.
The last execution by firing squad in the United States took place in 2010 when Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Utah. Gardner, who had been on death row for 25 years, selected the firing squad as his method of execution, a choice that was permitted under Utah’s laws at the time. His execution drew significant media attention and protests from human rights organizations.
Prior to Gardner, only three other inmates had been executed by firing squad since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. South Carolina’s upcoming execution would mark the first of its kind in over 15 years, signaling a controversial return to this method of capital punishment.
Execution Details and Next Steps
The execution is scheduled to take place at [Exact Time] on [Execution Date]. State officials confirmed that the execution will be witnessed by a small group, including representatives of the victims’ families, members of the press, and designated legal observers.
If no last-minute appeals are granted, South Carolina will proceed with the execution as planned.
Following the execution, the inmate’s body will be transferred to the state coroner’s office for official confirmation of death before being released to the family.
Public Reactions and National Debate
The use of firing squads has reignited national discussions about the future of the death penalty in America. While supporters argue that capital punishment serves as a deterrent to violent crime and provides justice for victims, opponents believe that states should be moving away from executions altogether, citing wrongful convictions and ethical concerns.
With South Carolina’s execution now imminent, legal experts predict that other states struggling with lethal injection shortages may also begin considering alternative methods.
References
- Associated Press. (2025, March 5). South Carolina inmate set to be executed by firing squad in first execution of its kind in 15 years.
- CNN. (2025, March 5). South Carolina schedules firing squad execution for convicted double murderer.
- The New York Times. (2025, March 5). Death penalty debate reignites as South Carolina prepares to execute inmate by firing squad.