COLUMBIA, S.C. (PulseWire) — South Carolina executed Stephen Bryant on Friday, becoming the third man executed by firing squad in the state this year. Volunteers from the prison staff carried out the sentence at 6:05 p.m. Bryant, age 44, was convicted of killing three people in a series of violent events in 2004. He opted for execution by firing squad rather than lethal injection or the electric chair. Witnesses described the harrowing moment of Bryant's death, which included the shocking visual of a target placed over his heart and the silence that followed the shots. Recent years have seen a resurgence of firing squad executions in the U.S., particularly as some states face shortages of lethal injection drugs. South Carolina had paused executions for over a decade due to these drug issues but has seen a stark return to capital punishment since September 2024, with Bryant's case adding to a complex narrative around the death penalty in the state. Advocacy groups continue to voice concerns regarding the brutality of these executions, reflecting a broader conversation about justice, safety, and morality in capital punishment.
South Carolina Executes Third Inmate by Firing Squad This Year
South Carolina Executes Third Inmate by Firing Squad This Year
In a chilling continuation of the death penalty practices, South Carolina executed Stephen Bryant via firing squad, marking the third execution by this method in the state this year. The details reveal the haunting implications of capital punishment within the state.
Stephen Bryant, sentenced for the murders of three individuals in 2004, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina's latest execution. His choice of execution method raises questions surrounding the death penalty and its controversial return in the state after a lengthy hiatus. The execution was closely monitored, revealing the emotional weight carried by witnesses and the complex legal landscape surrounding capital punishment in the U.S.
