Lincoln's Assassination: A Dramatic Escape

However, Parker had been granted permission to leave, mistakenly believing there was no imminent threat. This lapse allowed Booth to approach Lincoln from behind, where he fired a single shot into the back of the president's head, severing his spinal cord. The sound of the gunshot sent shockwaves through the audience, igniting confusion and panic. In a dramatic flourish, Booth leaped from the president's box onto the stage, shouting the words 'Sic semper tyrannis!'—Latin for 'Thus always to tyrants.' With that, he made his escape through a side door, vanishing into the night.