Manuel Vasquez , 46 , was injected with lethal dose of pentobarbital for carrying out orders to kill 51-year-old Juanita Ybarra in San Antonio , Texas . Ybarra ignored the Mexican Mafia 's 10 per cent street tax on drugs - known as a 'dime ' Vasquez was pronounced dead at 6.32pm CDT , 17 minutes after the drug began being administered . The death is believed to be the first time that an American has been executed by firing squad since 1976 when Gary Gilmore was put to death in Oklahoma.
Manuel Vasquez , 46 , was injected with lethal dose of pentobarbital for carrying out orders to kill 51-year-old Juanita Ybarra in San Antonio , Texas . Ybarra ignored the Mexican Mafia 's 10 per cent street tax on drugs - known as a 'dime ' Vasquez was pronounced dead at 6.32pm CDT , 17 minutes after the drug began being administered . The death row inmate thanked 'the Lord for his kind mercy , faithfulness and unconditional love ' After telling warden , I 'm ready , ' he took three deep breaths , then began snoring loudly .