Mikal Deen Mahdi has recently garnered media attention due to revelations regarding the circumstances of his execution. Records obtained by the Guardian indicate that the firing squad tasked with executing him missed their target, leading to claims from his lawyers that this resulted in prolonged suffering. This incident has reignited discussions about the methods of capital punishment in the United States, particularly in South Carolina, where Mahdi was executed.
Born on March 20, 1983, Mahdi was an American convicted spree killer responsible for the murder of a police officer during a violent rampage in July 2004. At the time of his crimes, he was living in Virginia. Over three days, Mahdi's actions led to multiple fatalities and injuries, culminating in his conviction and subsequent death sentence. His execution on April 11, 2025, marked a significant moment in U.S. history, as it was the first instance of a firing squad execution in South Carolina and the first in the country in 15 years.