When does a murder become an assasination?

Question

Why is it called an assasination is it just a fancy way of saying murdered?

Answer 1

I agree with Dave on this one!

The action is the same ,it's only the victim that changes.

Answer 2

When you have money

Answer 3

Surely murder is murder, why make it sound something more than it is just because someone is in the public eye?  

Oooh, maybe that's what it is then - 'famous' people can be murdered, but this usually happens in private, and it becomes an assasination if it's done in public.....?

Answer 4

an assasination is a murder of a major political figure, such as a president

Answer 5

Important people get assassinated and everyone else gets murdered

Answer 6

When the victim is killed not for personal reasons, but to bring about a certain outcome.

Answer 7

Agree with Dave S and Boris on this - depends if you're famous or not.

Answer 8

Assasination is a way of murdering someone.

The definition is 'To murder in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons'.

Answer 9

It depends if your famous or not.

Answer 10

I will disagree with those who say "Important people get assassinated, others get murdered."  John Lennon was murdered - there was no political motive in killing him.   If a leader like MLK or JFK is killed, it is assumed or can be determined that he was killed because of the position he held or his views.  A jilted lover who kills a political leader is killing not assassinating, because it is a personal crime.  On the other hand, those people killed in mass killings like the various school house killings, but especially the Texas Tower, probably should be considered as being assassinated because they were killed because of the shooters political/social beliefs.

Answer 11

When the victim is famous.