Brad Sigmon Set to Be Executed by Firing Squad in Historic South Carolina Case
March 7, 2025 | Columbia, South Carolina – Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man who has spent more than two decades on death row, is set to be executed by firing squad tonight, marking the first execution of its kind in South Carolina’s history. With just hours left before his scheduled execution, Sigmon has made a last-minute plea for clemency, hoping for an intervention from Governor Henry McMaster.
If carried out as planned, this execution will highlight South Carolina’s controversial death penalty protocols, which were revised in recent years to address the state’s inability to obtain lethal injection drugs. In 2021, South Carolina lawmakers reinstated the firing squad as an alternative method of execution, making it one of only a few states in the country to do so.
The Crime and Conviction
Sigmon was sentenced to death in 2002 after being convicted of the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in Greenville County, South Carolina. According to court records, Sigmon attacked the couple in their home, beating them to death with a baseball bat before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbre, at gunpoint. Barbre managed to escape from his vehicle before he could harm her further, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction.
During the trial, prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence, including forensic reports, eyewitness testimonies, and Sigmon’s own confession. The jury found him guilty of two counts of murder, kidnapping, and other related charges, leading to his death sentence. Over the years, Sigmon has exhausted multiple appeals, with state and federal courts upholding his conviction and sentence.
Legal Challenges and Pleas for Clemency
Sigmon’s execution has drawn attention from legal experts and human rights advocates who argue that firing squad executions constitute cruel and unusual punishment. His attorneys have filed several appeals, challenging both the legality of South Carolina’s firing squad execution method and the fairness of his trial proceedings. However, courts have repeatedly rejected his claims.
In a final effort to avoid execution, Sigmon has submitted a clemency request to Governor Henry McMaster, pleading for a last-minute intervention. The governor’s office has not yet indicated whether he will grant a stay of execution.
Public Response and Debate
The case has reignited the debate over capital punishment in South Carolina. Supporters argue that justice is being served for the victims and their families, while opponents contend that the use of firing squads is an archaic and inhumane form of execution. South Carolina has not carried out an execution since 2011 due to difficulties in acquiring lethal injection drugs, prompting the state to revise its death penalty procedures.
The scheduled execution will be closely watched across the nation, as it could set a precedent for other states considering alternative execution methods. If Sigmon’s execution proceeds, he will become the first person executed by firing squad in South Carolina and one of only a handful in the United States in modern history.
What Happens Next?
Barring a last-minute reprieve, Sigmon’s execution is expected to take place at 6 p.m. at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia. The South Carolina Department of Corrections has stated that the execution will be conducted in accordance with established procedures, with witnesses including members of the media, state officials, and representatives of the victims’ families.
As the clock ticks down, the fate of Brad Sigmon now rests in the hands of the state’s leadership and legal system. Whether his plea for clemency will be granted remains uncertain, but his case has already left a lasting impact on South Carolina’s criminal justice system and the broader debate on capital punishment in the United States.