News Summary
South Carolina executed inmate Mikal Mahdi by firing squad, marking the second use of this method in a short span. Witnesses reported that Mahdi cried out before dying. He was sentenced for the murder of an officer and had acknowledged other violent crimes. Mahdi’s execution highlights the state’s return to capital punishment after a 13-year hiatus, with ongoing debates about the ethics of such methods.
South Carolina executed inmate Mikal Mahdi by firing squad on April 11, 2025. This marks the second time in five weeks that South Carolina has employed this method of execution, following the execution of Brad Sigmon on March 7, 2025. Mahdi was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m. after being shot by three volunteer prison employees from approximately 15 feet away at 6:01 p.m.
During the execution, Mahdi did not provide a final statement nor did he acknowledge the nine witnesses who were present behind bulletproof glass. Eyewitness reports state that Mahdi cried out as the shots struck him, flexed his arms, and groaned before he ceased breathing roughly 80 seconds later. Mahdi’s last meal consisted of ribeye steak, mushroom risotto, broccoli, collard greens, cheesecake, and sweet tea.
Mahdi was sentenced to death for the murder of Orangeburg Public Safety officer James Myers in 2004, whom he shot at least eight times before burning his body. In addition to this crime, Mahdi also admitted to the murder of Christopher Boggs, a convenience store clerk, just days before the killing of Officer Myers. His final appeal was denied by both the U.S. Supreme Court and the South Carolina Supreme Court, sealing his fate.
Prosecutors characterized Mahdi as someone who consistently resorted to violence to address conflicts, noting his history of aggressive behavior, including past incidents of violence toward prison staff. Conversely, Mahdi’s defense attorneys criticized the initial trial process, arguing that it inadequately considered his troubled upbringing and mental health issues.
The recent execution of Mahdi represents a significant point in South Carolina’s resumption of capital punishment, which had been on hiatus for 13 years. The state has performed five executions since September 2024. Of these, three were conducted via lethal injection, while Mahdi’s execution was part of a new trend toward firing squads, which lawmakers contend is a more humane alternative. This assertion arises from ongoing challenges in sourcing lethal injection drugs.
Mahdi was one of the few inmates who opted for the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair, both of which he claimed were equally barbaric. South Carolina’s legislation now permits the use of firing squads in executions and has maintained confidentiality on the processes and identities of execution personnel involved.
Currently, there are 26 inmates remaining on South Carolina’s death row, with only one new sentence issued over the past decade. The choice to reinstate the firing squad and increase executions comes amid broader discussions regarding capital punishment in the United States, as states grapple with the ethical implications and procedural challenges of executing inmates.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Firing Squad
- NBC News
- Google Search: South Carolina Firing Squad Execution
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Capital Punishment
- AP News
- Google News: Firing Squad Executions
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
