South Carolina death row inmate opts for execution by firing squad.
A South Carolina man convicted of murder has opted for death by firing squad, marking a significant moment in the state’s approach to capital punishment. Stephen Bryant, aged 44, is scheduled to be executed on November 14, 2025, making him the third inmate in South Carolina to face execution by this method in recent months. The execution will take place at a distance of 15 feet, where three volunteer marksmen will fire simultaneously.
The inclusion of firing squads as a means of execution in South Carolina was established in 2021, largely in response to the ongoing challenges in obtaining the drugs necessary for lethal injection. South Carolina reinstated the death penalty in 2024 after a hiatus of 13 years. This decision reflects a broader trend in some states that are exploring alternatives as the availability of lethal injection drugs has diminished.
Bryant has been on death row since 2008, having pleaded guilty to the murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen, which occurred in 2004. The crime was particularly gruesome, with Bryant allegedly taunting law enforcement by painting “Catch me if u can” on the wall using Tietjen’s blood. In addition to this murder, he pleaded guilty to the killings of two other men whom he had given rides that same year, as well as a non-fatal shooting of a fourth individual. As a result of these crimes, he received two life sentences in addition to a cumulative 100-year sentence for the other offenses.
Despite the gravity of Bryant’s crimes, the method of execution may lead to further legal challenges. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for suffering during firing squad executions. This was highlighted in the case of Mikal Mahdi, the most recent inmate executed by firing squad in South Carolina, whose lawyers alleged that he experienced significant pain as the shooters failed to strike a vital organ, prolonging his death.
Since the reinstatement of firing squads, the number of executions in this manner has remained limited. Prior to South Carolina’s adoption, only three individuals had been executed by firing squad across the United States since 1977, with executions occurring primarily in Utah. The growing use of this method in South Carolina underscores the complexities surrounding capital punishment practices in the state and raises ethical questions about the application of such penalties.
As the date for Bryant’s execution approaches, it remains to be seen whether legal actions or public sentiment will affect the outcome, as the state navigates its controversial stance on the death penalty amidst evolving national conversations on justice and morality.
