‘Heart-pounding’ remaining moments of Death Row killer executed by firing squad
A witness at the shocking execution by firing squad has spoken out about the ‘heart-pounding’ final moments of Brad Sigmon’s life as he was put to death after almost 23 years on Death Row
A witness has spoken out after witnessing the first inmate to face execution by firing squad in 15 years.
Brad Sigmon, 67, received a death sentence in 2002 after admitting to the brutal double murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat. The savage killings occurred just one week after their daughter ended her relationship with Sigmon.
He tucked into a final meal of three buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken alongside mashed potatoes and green beans – and chose to share it with his fellow inmates.
One person to witness his execution was AP reporter Jeffrey Collins, who has since spoken out about what he saw. Collins has seen several inmates put to death, with Sigmon marking his 11th.
The journalist said that none of the previous 10 executions he had witnessed prepared him for watching the firing squad death of Brad Sigmon on Friday night.
He said: “It’s impossible to know what to expect when you’ve never seen someone shot at close range right in front of you.
“The firing squad is certainly faster – and more violent – than lethal injection. It’s a lot more tense, too. My heart started pounding a little after Sigmon’s lawyer read his final statement.
“The hood was put over Sigmon’s head, and an employee opened the black pull shade that shielded where the three prison system volunteer shooters were.
“About two minutes later, they fired. There was no warning or countdown. The abrupt crack of the rifles startled me. And the white target with the red bullseye that had been on his chest, standing out against his black prison jumpsuit, disappeared instantly as Sigmon’s whole body flinched.”
Sigmon’s statement was read out by his lawyer and said: “Man has no right to kill. Vengeance belongs to the Lord alone. It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle.”
Sigmon was declared dead at 6:08pm local time on Friday February 7.
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