In a dramatic conclusion to a grim chapter in South Carolina’s criminal history, a death row inmate known for his chilling crimes was executed by firing squad on Friday. Stephen Bryant, 44, who had been convicted of killing three men and leaving a terrifying message at the scene of one murder, was declared dead at 6:05 p.m.
Bryant’s execution was carried out by a trio of prison employees after he chose the method himself, a decision he had made clear prior to his death. This marked a rare instance of a firing squad being used in modern U.S. executions.
Before his final moments, Bryant was allowed 10 witnesses to observe his execution. He reportedly scanned the faces of those present briefly before a hood was placed over his head. The execution took place swiftly, occurring in less than a minute after preparations were complete.
Notably, Bryant chose to remain silent, offering no final words before his life was ended.
Bryant’s decision to face the firing squad was reported earlier this year. His sentencing was rooted in a particularly heinous crime committed over two decades ago. Bryant was found guilty of murdering Willard “TJ” Tietjen. In a gruesome act that shocked investigators, Bryant burned Tietjen’s eyes with cigarettes and used the victim’s blood to write a message, adding a sinister element to his crime.
Bryant was convicted of the fatal shooting of Willard “TJ” Tietjen. After the killing at Tietjen’s home, Bryant admitted to burning the victim’s eyes with cigarettes.
Bryant also used Tietjen’s blood as paint, dipping a potholder in the blood to write, “victim 4 in 2 weeks. Catch me if you can,” alluding to a string of four victims in two weeks. Candles were lit around Tietjen’s body.
Bryant’s daughter, Kimberly Dees, testified that she tried to call her father several times and grew more concerned with each unanswered call.
On her sixth call, a stranger answered.
When she insisted on speaking with her father, the caller told her, “You can’t, I killed him,” then identified himself as “the prowler,” Dees told the judge who imposed Bryant’s sentence, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Prosecutors also accused Bryant of fatally shooting two other men in October 2004 in Sumter County—one before Tietjen’s death and one shortly after.
They said Bryant offered the men rides and shot them in the back as they stopped to urinate on the side of rural roads.
After being shot, Bryant reportedly made no noise, only a few shallow breaths and a brief spasm before being officially pronounced dead by a doctor, the Post reported.
[Feature Photo: Stephen Bryant/SC Dept of Corrections]
