South Carolina inmate chooses to die by firing squad like the last condemned inmate before him

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Mikal Mahdi, a South Carolina death row inmate, has opted for execution by firing squad, marking the second such choice within weeks after the state conducted its first death by this method. His execution is scheduled for April 11, following the recent execution of Brad Sigmon by firing squad on March 7.

Mahdi's conviction stems from the 2004 murder of Officer James Myers, whom he ambushed after stealing a firearm from Myers' shed. The heinous crime unfolded when Myers was returning home from a birthday celebration, only to be found dead in his shed, having been shot at least eight times, including twice in the head.

In South Carolina, death row inmates have the option of lethal injection, the electric chair, or now the firing squad. Mahdi is breaking ground as the first inmate to choose this method since Sigmon's recent execution, which took less than three minutes to confirm death after the shots were fired.

During Mahdi's execution, he will be positioned 15 feet from three prison employees acting as marksmen. A target will be affixed to his chest, with each rifle loaded with a live round that is designed to impact his rib cage lethally.

In recent history, Mahdi and Sigmon are among a limited number of inmates executed by firing squad, with only three others executed in Utah over the past 50 years. Sigmon's execution last month also marked the first use of firearms for execution in the U.S. since 2010.