A video of death by firing squad has recently become viral on social media. The infamous death sentence of Gary Gilmore, was recorded on tape in 1977. Gilmore was sentenced a death penalty for murdering a gas station employee in July 1976. His sentence and last rites were carried out on camera, but the most notable detail is that he requested that his head be not covered as he was shot by the firing squad. In his own words, he wanted to bear witness to his own execution.
Gary Gilmore’s execution is notable as it ended a de facto nationwide moratorium on capital punishment (death sentence) that had lasted nearly 10 years. His case also made the headlines due to him declining a lenient sentence. He vehemently resisted efforts made on his behalf to commute his sentence, and voluntarily asked for a death sentence. The court fulfilled his wished and he was sentenced to death by firing squad, ending the moratorium. The US supreme court had reinstated capital punishment nationally in July of that year.
In the video that is going viral, Gilmore is shown being strapped to a chair as preparations for his execution are being made. He was made infamous by the media at the time, with the opponents of the death penalty making him a cause célèbre. His last words to his executioners have been widely quoted which were just a simple, “Let’s do it”. There were 5 windows made at a distance of 26 feet, from behind the curtains of which 5 rifle men riddled Gilmore with bullets. Reportedly all 5 of the riflemen targeted Gilmore’s heart, out of which 4 hit the mark. Gilmore was cremated in the jail itself.