How This Man Survived Execution By Firing Squad

A man in Mexico miraculously survived an execution by firing squad after being shot 8-9 times. He lived another 60 years until the age of 85.

Authorities captured Wenseslao Moguel in 1915 after being suspected of taking part in the Mexican Revolution. He was sentenced to death without a trial.

During the execution on March 18, 1915, Moguel not only survived the shots from the firing squad, he also survived the ‘coup de grace’ – which is a shot to the head delivered by the squad’s commander to ensure death.

According to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! – Moguel was in “excruciating pain” but was still alive. He waited for his executioners to leave before making his way to safety.

He was severely disfigured, but went on to “live a full life” before passing away on July 29, 1976. He even became somewhat of a legend after appearing on Ripley’s 1937 radio show and at his Odditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! website explains, “Pancho Villa was one of the most famous leaders of the Mexican Revolution. After his defeat by the Constitutionalists in 1915, Northern rebels faced harsh punishment by regional de facto armies. One of the unfortunate casualties of war was Wenseslao Moguel. Branded as a traitor, Wenseslao was sentenced-without trial-to execution by firing squad.”

“During the Mexican Revolution, a firing squad was the preferred means of execution. The squad was comprised of 9 soldiers who would all fire their weapons at the same time. The tenth shooter, an officer, was to aim at one of the prisoner’s vital organs and deliver the coup de grace-the kill shot.”

“This was Wenseslao’s lucky day. March 18, 1915. The Federales took their positions and fired-even the tenth. Assuming he was dead, the job was done, or so they thought. Wenseslao survived! Although in excruciating pain, he waited for his executioners to leave and, miraculously, left the scene to make his way to safety.”

From his unexpected fame, Moguel was dubbed ‘El Fusilado’, or ‘The Executed One’ – a nickname that inspired a 2008 song by none other than Chumbawamba.