BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The firing squad will become the primary method of execution in the State of Idaho starting July 1, 2026. Those in support of the change argue it’s a more humane and efficient method, while some are more skeptical.

Idaho is now one of five states to authorize the firing squad as a means of execution. Other states include Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah and South Carolina. Where Idaho differs, it’s the only state to make it the primary method.

The death penalty in Idaho

In 1977, the Supreme Court of the United States reinstated use of the death penalty in the case Gregg v. Georgia. Leading to states updating their death penalty statutes and procedure.

Since then, Idaho has successfully carried out three executions through lethal injection. In 1994, 2011 and 2012.

The last attempted execution was in February of 2024. Thomas Creech, the longest serving inmate on death row in Idaho, received the death penalty after beating another inmate to death in 1981.

On the day of Creech’s scheduled execution, the execution team failed after eight attempts to find a vain to set the IV that would administer the lethal injection.

Rep. Bruce Skaug co-sponsored House Bill 803 in the 2026 legislative session. The bill made the firing squad the primary method as well as added new provisions to protect parts of execution procedure from review.

He said in an interview that the lethal injection has the possibility to fail about six or seven percent of the time.

“We needed something that was sure and humane, and firing squad is humane because it is sudden, it is quick and it is certain,” Skaug, R-Nampa said.

The firing squad

Since capital punishment was reinstated, there have been six firing squad executions according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Three of those six took place in South Carolina in 2025.

Robin Maher, the executive director for the Death Penalty Information Center, told IdahoNews.com that two of those three in South Carolina “went badly.”

“One of them, only two bullets were found in the prisoner. The third bullet didn’t even hit him and neither of those bullets hit his heart,” Maher said. “So it tells you that the firing squad is not a fool proof method.”

An idea to carry out the firing squad through a remote controlled firing mechanism was considered in Idaho, ultimately being scrapped for a traditional three-member firing squad. Each member of the firing squad team will receive one live round of ammunition and on the call to “fire” will simultaneously discharge their weapons.

The Idaho Department of Corrections has detailed a series of qualifications and requirements to be considered as a possible member of the firing squad, since it operates on a volunteer basis.

Volunteers must hold a Peace Officers Standards and Training, or POST, certification for a minimum of three years, have no disciplinary action in the past 12 months relating to firearms or use of force and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in firearms.

Volunteers must pass a test in which they:

• Fire each IDOC provided firearm with 100% accuracy from at least 21 feet.
• Hit a target of the same size, shape and height as will be used in an actual execution
• A volunteer fails the test if they are unable to hit the target with one round from each of the firearms

The volunteers also cannot have any blood or legal relation to the victim, victim’s family, the prisoner and prisoner’s family.

Maher believes the firing squad fell out of favor due to the method being “graphic” and “bloody.” Leading to the public with a want to move away from the method.

Public opinion of the death penalty

According to a Gallup poll, public support for the death penalty is at a five decade low. While 52% of people still support capital punishment, the amount of people not in favor has steadily grown since the mid 1990’s.

“There are rising concerns about the evidence of bias and of error, the accuracy and whether the death penalty even works, keeps [people] safer,” Maher said.

Skaug told IdahoNews.com that in Idaho, favor for the death penalty isn’t losing any support. That he has heard from constituents voicing their support for both the death penalty as a whole and the firing squad specifically. Saying some have even expressed a “too eager” desire to be on the firing squad.

“We go through a lot of time and expense to get someone on death row and then ultimately to carry out the justice for the victims and their families,” Skaug said.

The cost of the death penalty

As part of approving the firing squad, IDOC needed to retrofit the execution chamber at F-Block at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution to accommodate the change. Originally being appropriated $750,000 from the legislature in 2023.

For phase two of the update, IDOC estimates the cost at about $910,802.

Skaug said he doesn’t like the up-front cost to retrofit F-Block, but he said “it needed to be done.” He also said it will be easier to acquire ammunition and firearms than it is to acquire the drugs needed for lethal injection. Saying that a manufacturer offered to donate ammunition to the state which was refused.

Exterior of IMSI (Courtesy Idaho Department of Corrections)

Maher said many people are shocked to hear the cost to carry out the death penalty is higher than expected.

“As soon as the prosecutor decides to seek death, the price tag goes up,” Maher said referring to a long series of appeals and security costs required.

As the new procedure is set to take effect July 1, Skaug says that they are ready to carry out the firing squad. There are currently eight people on Idaho’s death row.

NORTON, Kan. (WIBW) – A man was transported to a Denver-area hospital after he was seriously injured in a truck-motorcycle collision Monday morning in Norton County in northwest Kansas, officials said.

The crash was reported at 10:25 a.m. Monday on US-36 highway at Timber Ridge Lane, on the west side of the city of Norton.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck that was westbound on US-36 attempted to turn south onto Timber Ridge Lane when it collided with a 1997 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was traveling east on US-36.

The motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the Ford truck, which had turned in front of the bike, the patrol said.

The motorcycle rider, Frank J. Daniels, 73, of Boise, Idaho, was transported to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, for treatment of serious injuries. The patrol said Daniels wasn’t wearing a helmet.

The driver of the Ford truck, Ronald B. Zwickle, 77, of Norton, was reported uninjured. The patrol said Zwickle was wearing his seat belt.

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game.

POCATELLO – Over the last three weeks, Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region personnel have been responding to numerous raccoon calls from the public in the Pocatello and Chubbuck areas. These reports have included observations of raccoons “acting sick” or lethargic, even appearing injured or lingering in plain view during daylight hours—which is not typical raccoon behavior.

Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Tyler Peterson of Pocatello says that reports from the public have recently increased, with him taking raccoon calls even on weekends and after hours.

“Almost daily we get a report of a raccoon that appears sick or acting abnormally,” Peterson says. “Some callers have reported that the animals appear blind or like their eyes are ‘glued shut’. Raccoons have also been observed out in the open just sitting on a sidewalk or in someone’s driveway during the middle of the day.”

Such reported symptoms and behaviors can be typical of canine distemper, a highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus, and in fact, one of the raccoons submitted for testing came back positive for the disease. Additional carcasses are awaiting testing.

Dr. Nicole Walrath, wildlife veterinarian with Idaho Fish and Game’s Wildlife Health & Forensic Laboratory says, “Canine distemper is a widespread disease primarily affecting canids, raccoons, and skunks. It is not transmissible to humans. Clinical signs typically include discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss, fearlessness around humans, among other symptoms.”

Canine distemper is always present at some level within certain wildlife populations, with most wildlife distemper cases occurring in the spring and fall. However, it is not known why so many raccoons are apparently displaying distemper symptoms in this part of southeast Idaho at this time. What is known is that this disease is almost 100% fatal to animals like racoons and skunks.

What should you do to protect your pets?

Transmission occurs from contact with infected saliva, urine, feces or respiratory secretions from infected animals. The virus is resistant to cold, and the majority of cases in domestic dogs occur in the fall and winter. The disease can be fatal in dogs, which is why it is important for pet owners to consult their veterinarians about vaccinations and other recommended precautions for pets.

Keep your pets away from live raccoons and carcasses. To dispose of a raccoon carcass, wear gloves and a mask during handling and place the carcass in a bag before disposing in a trash receptacle.

What should you do if you observe a live raccoon on or near your property?

Remember, not all raccoons have distemper, and people and pets live alongside raccoons with little conflict or issues most of the time. They can even be fun to watch, though it is always a good idea for you and your pets to maintain a safe distance from raccoons or any wildlife for that matter.

If you have concerns or questions about a live raccoon that is exhibiting unusual symptoms or behavior, you can contact Idaho Fish and Game. Please note that Fish and Game will use a set of criteria to determine the best course of action for a homeowner, and we will NOT be dispatching or retrieving all raccoons that are reported.

What does this mean for local wildlife populations?

Wildlife canine distemper will continue to naturally persist in wildlife populations. The recent increase in incidences of canine distemper in the Pocatello and Chubbuck areas will likely not cause catastrophic changes to raccoon populations and is expected to decline as the summer progresses. Fish and Game will continue to monitor this situation in these and other southeast Idaho communities.

How do you discourage raccoons from coming onto your deck, porch, or getting into your house? Remove attractants and block access points to decks, garages or to your home. For those who feed wild birds or pets outside, consider storing food in secure containers or bring these food items indoors at night. Clean spilled birdseed and other food attractants from your deck or porch daily. Secure outdoor garbage receptacles to prevent access to hungry raccoons. Keep pet doors/access to your home or garage closed during the night when raccoons are most active.