Kenneth Smith cried out “It’s not working!” after being shot by a firing squad, sparking renewed debate over execution methods.
METRO
Kenneth Smith, a convicted murderer who chose to be executed by firing squad, reportedly cried out in pain after being shot, raising fresh concerns over the method’s humanity. Smith, convicted for the 1988 killing of a police officer, had opted for the firing squad over lethal injection, citing prior trauma from a botched attempt in 2022.
According to witnesses, Smith exclaimed, “It’s not working!” after the shots were fired, suggesting he may have remained conscious briefly after the execution began. The controversial incident occurred in South Carolina, one of the few U.S. states that allows the firing squad as an execution option.
Human rights advocates have condemned the execution, calling it cruel and outdated. “The government should not be experimenting with death,” said one activist.
