South Carolina executed a convicted murderer by firing squad on Friday, the first use of the method in the United States in 15 years.

"I want my closing statement to be one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty," Brad Kieth Sigmon wrote ahead of his execution.

March 7 (UPI) -- For the first time in 15 years, a state has put a person to death by firing squad. Late Friday, South Carolina used a firing squad to execute a man convicted of double murder. It was the first time the state has ever used that method to carry out the death penalty.