Brad Sigmon bludgeoned his ex-girlfriend’s parents to death with a baseball bat in 2001.

Sigmon admitted to fatally battering David and Gladys Larke, 62 and 59 respectively, in their home because their daughter broke up with him.

And now, the 67-year-old has been put to death by firing squad at 6.05pm on Friday at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina.

He was declared dead at 6.08pm by on-site medical staff after three prison guards who volunteered for the grisly task fired at his heart with rifles from 15ft away.

Sigmon’s last meal was four pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea.

His lawyer released a lengthy statement functioning as Sigmon’s last words, which were steeped in Biblical references and called for the end of capital punishment.

Sigmon was the first person to die by firing squad in the US since 2010 – and just the fourth since the death penalty resumed 49 years ago – after losing a last-minute appeal to spare his life on Friday afternoon.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the prison on Friday evening to protest against capital punishment, arguing it is inhumane. 

Sigmon was tied to an armless chair with a white target with a red bullseye pinned to his chest, his head held in place by straps across his chin and forehead.

He was already strapped in at 6.01pm when a curtain was raised to reveal the execution chamber to onlookers.

The condemned criminal looked at the witness room and mouthed something to his lawyer and spiritual advisor. He made to audible final remarks.

Witnesses included three family members of the victims, David and Gladys Larke.

Also present were Sigmon’s attorney and spiritual advisor, a representative from the prosecuting solicitor’s office, a sheriff’s investigator, and three members of the media.