Assassination

Image of Lincoln being shot by Booth while sitting in a theater booth.
Depiction of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln shown in the presidential booth of Ford's Theatre. From left to right: assassin John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Clara Harris, and Henry Rathbone.

Assassination is the willful killing, by a sudden or secret attack, of a person—especially a prominent or important one—typically for political, social, or ideological reasons. Assassinations may be ordered by individuals or organizations, and carried out by their accomplices. Acts of assassination have been performed since ancient times. A person who carries out an assassination is called an assassin.

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