Washington DC: A convicted double murderer, Brad Sigmon, was executed on Friday by firing squad in the first use of the method in the US for 15 years.
Sigmon's execution took place at the Broad River Correctional Institution, in Columbia, South Carolina, where all executions in the state are carried out.
Brad Sigmon, 67, chose to be killed by bullets, saying he feared the alternatives of the electric chair and lethal injection would risk a slower and more painful death.
Official Statement
"The capital punishment sentence of Brad Keith Sigmon was carried out tonight, pursuant to the order of the S.C. Supreme Court and in accordance with state law. The execution was performed by a three-person firing squad at 6:05 p.m. He was pronounced dead by a physician at 6:08 p.m.," the South Carolina Department of Corrections said.
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Sigmon was sentenced to death for killing his ex-girlfriend's parents David and Gladys Larke with a baseball bat in 2001 before abducting her.
The inmate chose to be shot. According to local laws, the man could have also chosen lethal injection or the electric chair.
Three Prison Employees Shot Him
After being shot by three volunteer prison employees armed with rifles that were loaded with live ammunition.
He told police he planned to take his ex-girlfriend on a romantic weekend before killing himself and her, and was sentenced to death in 2002.
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He wore a black jumpsuit with a hood over his head during the execution, and had a white target with a red bullseye over his chest.
Sigmon's Last Statement
Sigmon delivered a closing statement, which he said was "one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty".
