Executions

Executions is one of many random encounters in Red Dead Redemption. They were a common occurrence in the American west. Often executions would be carried out by lawmen, the military, vigilante groups and bandits. Firing squads and hangings were a common method of killing the condemned.

Executions in Red Dead Redemption
Throughout the world, Marston will come upon various groups preparing to carry out an execution. These condemned individuals may either be innocent victims of unjust vigilantism, or low-life outlaws facing execution for their crimes. The player may choose either to intervene or simply observe the execution.

Locations
Executions most commonly occur only in Mexico. It is rare to see executions take place elsewhere although there are random events where a stranger may ask Marston to help them stop a execution of a wife or friend. These can take place anywhere.

Intervention
If Marston chooses to confront the executors, it will usually involve a bloody gun fight, requiring the player to be well-equipped in order to survive. Depending on the circumstances and roles of the executors and the condemned, intervention will yield either positive or negative honor. Be careful as a what may look like a group of criminals executing an innocent person may be the police killing an outlaw, this can result in a bounty on your own head. Be sure to get close to confirm before you begin shooting.

It is also possible that with higher fame, some executors will back down upon being challenged. Others will disregard Marston's fame and choose to attack.

Trivia

 * On a wall in the Armadillo Sheriff's Office, there is a poster for an "execution sale and auction" at Ridgewood Farm.
 * Executions were sometimes ordered by legal courts, but were often impromptu decisions to deal with captured adversaries. Increasingly, the American west was falling under the thumb of the American federal government and municipalities, which would often use executions as an inexpensive way of dealing with petty criminals. Vigilante mobs and entire communities would sometimes demand executions of captured outlaws, and perform them without legal authority. Alternatively, various military and paramilitary would often execute political dissenters and reactionaries as a way to exhibit influence. Outlaw groups would also execute members suspected of betrayal or theft.