Gary Gilmore was an American criminal known for committing two murders in Utah in 1976. His actions led to his arrest and subsequent trial, where he was convicted and sentenced to death. Gilmore's case gained significant media attention, particularly because he chose to be executed by firing squad, becoming the first person to be executed in the United States after the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. His execution on January 17, 1977, sparked debates about capital punishment in the United States. Gilmore's last words, "Let's do it," became famous and highlighted the complexities surrounding the ethics of the death penalty, influencing discussions about its application and morality in society.