Death Row Inmate Who Taunted Police with Bloody Message Dies by Firing Squad Execution
Share and Follow

A death row inmate from South Carolina, who was convicted of killing three men in a particularly gruesome crime, met his end by firing squad on Friday. Among his horrific acts was burning one victim’s eyes and scrawling a message in the victim’s blood.

Stephen Bryant, aged 44, was declared dead at 6:05 p.m., following his chosen method of execution carried out by a team of three prison officials.

In the moments leading up to his execution, Bryant briefly looked over at the 10 witnesses present before a hood was placed over his head. His execution occurred shortly thereafter.

Remarkably, Bryant chose not to issue any last words before his death.

Previously, on October 31, it was reported by CrimeOnline that Bryant had selected the firing squad for his execution. His death sentence was a result of a heinous crime and the disturbing taunt he left for investigators over two decades ago.

Bryant was convicted of the fatal shooting of Willard “TJ” Tietjen. After the killing at Tietjen’s home, Bryant admitted to burning the victim’s eyes with cigarettes.

Bryant also used Tietjen’s blood as paint, dipping a potholder in the blood to write, “victim 4 in 2 weeks. Catch me if you can,” alluding to a string of four victims in two weeks. Candles were lit around Tietjen’s body.

Bryant’s daughter, Kimberly Dees, testified that she tried to call her father several times and grew more concerned with each unanswered call.

On her sixth call, a stranger answered.

When she insisted on speaking with her father, the caller told her, “You can’t, I killed him,” then identified himself as “the prowler,” Dees told the judge who imposed Bryant’s sentence, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Prosecutors also accused Bryant of fatally shooting two other men in October 2004 in Sumter County—one before Tietjen’s death and one shortly after.

They said Bryant offered the men rides and shot them in the back as they stopped to urinate on the side of rural roads.

After being shot, Bryant reportedly made no noise, only a few shallow breaths and a brief spasm before being officially pronounced dead by a doctor, the Post reported.

[Feature Photo: Stephen Bryant/SC Dept of Corrections]

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Arizona Community Unites to Honor Slain Indigenous Girl with Permanent Memorial for Emily Pike

A lasting tribute is being established for Emily Pike, a 14-year-old indigenous…

Timothy Busfield’s Legal Team Seeks Jail Release Amidst Resurfacing 1996 Child Sex Assault Lawsuit

Timothy Busfield, an actor and director, is under scrutiny after being accused…

Georgia Man Charged for Allegedly Inflicting Severe Brain Injury on Infant Through Violent Shaking, Police Report

A Georgia man has been taken into custody following the discovery of…

Tragic Accident Involving Drunk Driver Leaves 7-Year-Old Severely Injured and Amputated

Left inset: Michael McRae (Dallas County Sheriff’s Office/KDFW). Right inset: Saeed Abbasova…

Tragic Poisoning: Woman Charged with Cyanide Attacks, Resulting in Two Deaths

Background: The rural road where Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina…

Man Arrested for Assaulting Officers and Family Member in Shocking Incident

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a dramatic turn of events yesterday,…

North Carolina Woman Arrested for Allegedly Poisoning Three with Cyanide: Disturbing Case Unfolds

In a significant development, North Carolina authorities have detained a woman in…

Indiana Judge and Spouse Injured in Home Shooting Incident

An unsettling incident unfolded in Lafayette, Indiana, where a local judge and…