A look into the executions carried out in the US in 2025

This week, two executions are scheduled: Michael Tanzi in Florida for kidnapping and murder, and Mikal Mahdi in South Carolina, who has requested to die by firing squad just five weeks after the state carried out its first execution by that method. Two additional executions are scheduled for April: one in Texas and another in Alabama.

In 2025, as of April 7, 10 people have been executed in the U.S. by lethal injection, nitrogen gas or firing squad, and several more executions are scheduled this year.

Executions and death sentences in 2024

Alabama carried out the most executions in 2024 with six, followed by Texas with five and Oklahoma and Missouri with four each. Three states resumed executions after long hiatuses. Utah’s first execution in 14 years was carried out Aug. 8. South Carolina carried out two executions in 2024 after a 13-year pause. Indiana’s first execution in 15 years came Dec. 18.

Ten states − Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas − imposed death sentences. Among these, just four states − Alabama, California, Florida and Texas − were responsible for the majority of new death sentences, totaling 20. Florida imposed the highest number of new death sentences in 2024 with seven.

How many executions have there been each year?

In recent years, the number of executions in the United States has been decreasing, with fewer than 30 executions each year since 2015.

Which states have the death penalty?

As of now, 27 states maintain the death penalty; 23 states and the District of Columbia have abolished it.

Four states have a gubernatorial hold on executions. In February, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he does not anticipate any more executions during his governorship, which runs through 2026.

Which state has seen the most executions?

Types of executions

In the first three months of this year, 10 executions were carried out. Among these, seven were done by lethal injection, two by gas, and on March 7, Brad Sigmon became the first person in the U.S. to be executed by firing squad in 15 years when he was put to death in South Carolina. The past three executions by firing squad had been in Utah.

In March, Idaho passed legislation designating the firing squad as its primary method of execution, a move supported by Gov. Brad Little. This legislation will take effect July 1, 2026.

Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr. by nitrogen gas in March, the first execution in the state in 15 years. Louisiana  joins Alabama as the only two states to use nitrogen gas to put a prisoner to death.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted its ban on capital punishment in 1976, states have used five execution methods: lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad and hanging.

Remaining executions in 2025

Thirty-two execution dates were scheduled by nine states for 2025. Eight states have a total 15 executions scheduled for the remainder of 2025. Tennessee has the most remaining with four.

This story was updated with new information. 

SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Death Penalty Information Center