Minute-by-minute account of last firing squad death as death row inmate chooses execution method

Earlier this monthm 67-year-old death row inmate Brad Sigmon became the first American to be executed by firing squad in 15 years.

Sigmon was put to death in South Carolina for murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents, having chosen the firing squad over lethal injection or death by electrocution.

It's a rare and controversial method of execution, so it's somewhat surprising that just weeks after Sigmon's death by firing squad another death row inmate has requested it.

Mikal Mahdi is scheduled to be executed this month for the 2004 killing of a police officer, and since he is also a South Carolina inmate his choices are between a lethal injection, an electric chair which Sigmon's legal representatives had protested would 'would burn and cook him alive', or the firing squad.

Madhi's representatives said that the bullet was the 'lesser of the three evils'.

Mikal Mahdi has chosen to face the firing squad, with his lawyer calling it 'the lesser of three evils' (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

"Mikal chose the firing squad instead of being burned and mutilated in the electric chair, or suffering a lingering death on the lethal injection gurney," his lawyer David Weiss said.

Should the execution be carried out then it would likely follow a similar timeline to the death of Sigmon, a minute-by-minute account of his death follows:

6:00pm

According to a report from MailOnline, Sigmon was brought into the death chamber at 6pm EST and looked over to the witness gallery before being strapped into the execution chair.

A white target was also placed over his heart.

6:02pm

Once Sigmon was strapped into the chair, which included head restraints and a basin to collect blood, his attorney read out the 67-year-old's final statement, which saw the newfound Christian speak out against the death penalty.

"I want my closing statement to be one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty," the statement read.

"Nowhere does God in the New Testament give man the authority to kill another man."

6:03pm

According to numerous accounts from reporters in attendance, Sigmon mouthed the words 'I'm OK,' to relatives watching in the gallery before a hood was pulled over his head.

This is the room Sigmon was executed in, and it's where Mahdi will be going unless granted a reprieve (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

6:04pm

A blind was then lifted to reveal three volunteers from the South Carolina Department of Corrections who stood behind a wall which featured an opening at firing height. Each was armed with a rifle.

Recalling the final moments before the shots rang out, South Carolina TV journalist Anna Dobbins said: "We could not see the guns. There was no countdown or anything to tell us when the shots would be fired."

6:05pm

Each of the executioners fired simultaneously and were direct hits on target. Sigmon flinched and his chest rapidly rose and fell several times. Blood began to pool at his chest.

"It was very fast," Dobbins said of the killing.

Associated Press reporter Jeffrey Collins also provided an account of the event, detailing how the bullets - which are designed to break apart and cause maximum damage upon impact - meant the target placed over his heart 'disappeared instantly'.

"A jagged red spot about the size of a small fist appeared where Sigmon was shot. His chest moved two or three times. Outside of the rifle crack, there was no sound," he said.

6:06pm

A doctor entered the chamber and listened to Sigmon's heart for two minutes.

6:08pm

Chrysti Shain, of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, said Sigmon was pronounced dead.

Additional words by Brenna Cooper