An inmate in Texas was executed Thursday for the abduction and grisly murder of a 5-year-old girl during the 2001 Christmas shopping season.

David Renteria, 53, died after a lethal injection of pentobarbital at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's prison at about 7:11 p.m., according to a report citing prison officials.

MIKE GALLAGHER ARGUES IT'S TIME TO BAN TIKTOK AS APP IGNITES SYMPATHY FOR OSAMA BIN LADEN

Renteria was convicted for the murder of Alexandra Flores, whom he kidnapped at an El Paso Walmart on Nov. 18, 2001.

He lured the girl away from the store, strangled her to death, then set her body on fire, according to the report.

The child's body was discovered in an alley the next day nearly 16 miles from where she was abducted, the report noted.

The United States Supreme Court had rejected at least two requests from his attorneys to stay his execution.

Before he died, Renteria issued a final statement apologizing for his actions.

"I'm sorry for all the wrongs I have done. And for those who have called for my death, who are about to murder me, I forgive you," he said.

Renteria's execution shows the importance of maintaining a death penalty, according to El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"It's a long time coming. I think it's been what, 21 years? I was actually the assistant [El Paso police] chief. [Carlos] Leon was the chief when that horrific crime occurred. It was really tough on everybody. I can't even imagine what that family went through and what they're still going through today," he said.

"Hopefully, this will give them a little bit of relief to help them in their recovery that is going to take the rest of their lives," Wiles added. "I can't even imagine losing my 5-year-old daughter to such a horrific crime."