South Carolina Executes Stephen Bryant via Firing Squad

Sun Nov 16 2025 09:06:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

On Friday, South Carolina executed Stephen Bryant, the third person to die by firing squad this year. His choice and the method's resurgence highlight ongoing debates on capital punishment.

Stephen Bryant, 44, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina, marking the state's third execution by this method in 2023. Bryant had chosen this method over lethal injection and was convicted in 2004 for killing three individuals within days. His execution has spurred discussions on the role and morality of capital punishment in the U.S. Bryant's lawyer noted his difficult upbringing and genetic issues, emphasizing the complexities surrounding his case and the nature of justice.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a noteworthy event highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States, South Carolina executed Stephen Bryant on Friday, making him the third person to die by firing squad in the state this year.

Bryant, 44, was put to death at 6:05 p.m. after three prison employees volunteered to carry out the execution with live ammunition. He opted for the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair, and he made no final statement before the procedure began.

Witnesses reported that the execution was swift; the shots rang out just a minute after Bryant was hooded. He demonstrated no audible response, though a doctor confirmed his death shortly afterward.

A poignant detail from the execution was reported by a media witness, who observed a pool of wetness on Bryant’s chest where he had been shot. Family members of victims were present as witnesses, holding hands in solidarity during the event.

Bryant's execution followed a 13-year hiatus of executions in South Carolina, which ceased due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. Since the resumption of executions, Bryant became the seventh inmate executed in South Carolina.

Republican Governor Henry McMaster denied any clemency for Bryant, highlighting a trend in South Carolina, where no governor has offered clemency since the death penalty resumed in 1976.

Reflections and Final Meal

For his last meal, Bryant chose a hearty spread, which included spicy mixed seafood stir-fry, fried fish over rice, egg rolls, stuffed shrimp, candy bars, and German chocolate cake. Bryant’s legal representative noted his tragic background, including a genetic disorder and a history of abuse, which contributed to his troubled life.

Lawyer Bo King expressed that despite Bryant's grave actions, he exhibited compassion and love towards others, and he will be remembered for his unlikely friendships and his appreciation for nature.

The Firing Squad's History

The choice of execution method underscores a contentious debate over the efficacy and humanity of capital punishment. Proponents argue that the firing squad is a faster, more reliable method compared to botched lethal injections, which have led to calls for alternative execution methods.

Since the state resumed its practice of executions, it has carried out four lethal injections and three firing squad executions, demonstrating a shift back towards more traditional forms of capital punishment.

Background of the Crimes

Bryant was convicted of the murders of three individuals in 2004, following a harrowing series of events where he admitted to killing Willard “TJ” Tietjen and two other men over the course of just five days. His violent actions arose from complex personal challenges that would define his later life.

Overall, Bryant's execution is part of a broader narrative surrounding the use of capital punishment in the United States, stirring discussions about justice, rehabilitation, and humanity.