Columbia, South Carolina — A man was executed by firing squad in South Carolina on Friday, marking the third such execution in the state this year. Stephen Bryant, 44, was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m., becoming the seventh inmate executed since the state resumed capital punishment last year after a thirteen-year hiatus.
Three prison employees volunteered to carry out the execution, armed with live ammunition. Bryant chose this method over lethal injection or the electric chair. Prior to the execution, he did not make a final statement, casting a brief glance at the ten witnesses present as a hood was placed over his head.
The execution took approximately 55 seconds. Witnesses reported that after the shots rang out, Bryant remained silent, with a target positioned over his heart moving away from his chest upon impact. He underwent a few shallow breaths before a final spasm occurred, and a physician confirmed his death shortly thereafter.
Family members of Bryant’s victims attended the execution and clasped hands throughout the process, bringing a somber presence to the event. Authorities noted that Bryant’s execution follows a significant period of inactivity in South Carolina due to a lack of lethal injection drugs, which has caused other states to explore alternative execution methods.
Governor Henry McMaster denied Bryant any clemency, consistent with the state’s historical stance. No South Carolina governor has granted clemency since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
On the day of his execution, Bryant requested a final meal that included various seafood dishes, fried fish, egg rolls, candy bars, and German chocolate cake. Bo King, an advocate for death penalty reform, shared insights into Bryant’s troubled childhood, marked by abuse and genetic disorders, asserting that these factors contributed to his violent behavior.
King described Bryant as having shown remarkable grace and love during his time in prison, demonstrating forgiveness towards his family despite the abuse he suffered. “We will remember his unlikely friendships and fierce protectiveness,” King stated.
Firing squad executions have seen a revival in the United States, where they are viewed by some lawmakers as a more humane alternative to methods that have faced scrutiny due to botched executions. Bryant’s case reflects an ongoing debate about the efficacy and morality of capital punishment.
The history of firing squads encompasses a range of contexts, from military punishment to political repression, raising questions about their appropriateness in modern justice systems. The recent uptick in executions in South Carolina follows the state’s decision to uphold a controversial death penalty law, alongside a backlog in lethal injection drug supplies.
Bryant was convicted of murdering three men in 2004, a crime that shocked the quiet communities of rural South Carolina. After luring one victim under the pretense of needing help with car troubles, Bryant shot him multiple times and later killed two others as they stopped for brief respites. Authorities faced challenges during the manhunt for Bryant, stopping vehicles in the area to warn residents of the unfolding crisis.
As the state continues to navigate the complexities surrounding capital punishment, Bryant’s execution stands as a stark reminder of its implications. Across the United States, at least 14 additional executions are scheduled for the remainder of 2025 and into the next year, raising questions about justice, morality, and the evolving landscape of the death penalty.