Ronnie Lee Gardner

Ronnie Lee Gardner was an American convicted murderer who gained notoriety for being the last person executed by firing squad in the United States prior to a recent execution in South Carolina. His execution took place on June 18, 2010, in Utah, where he was sentenced to death for a 1985 murder during a failed robbery. Gardner's case drew significant media attention and public debate surrounding the death penalty, particularly in relation to execution methods. His execution marked a rare instance of firing squad use in modern America, as it had largely fallen out of favor since lethal injection became the predominant method of execution. Gardner's case remains emblematic of ongoing discussions about capital punishment and its ethical implications.