Stephen Bryant, a triple murderer from South Carolina, has become the third man to be executed by firing squad in the state this year. Bryant was convicted of the 2004 killings of his father, stepmother, and their young son in their rural home.

After exhausting all legal appeals, Bryant's execution date was set for this week. Despite last-minute efforts from anti-death penalty advocates, Bryant was ultimately put to death by a firing squad, a rare method of execution that was brought back in South Carolina earlier this year.

Bryant's case has reignited debates over the use of the death penalty and the ethics of methods such as firing squads. Critics argue that such methods are barbaric and inhumane, while supporters point to the heinous nature of Bryant's crimes as justification.

As the third man to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina this year, Bryant's case has once again thrust the state into the national spotlight when it comes to capital punishment. With more executions scheduled in the near future, the contentious debate over the death penalty is sure to continue.