January 23d

On this day - 23 January 1570 - First assassination with a firearm

James Sturt, 1st earl of Morray, was an illegitimate son of James V and the regent of Scotland was the first person to be assassinated by a firearm. The assassin was a follower of Mary, Queen of Scots and James Stuart was assassinated after trying to organize a response to the Marys followers. James Stuart was assassinated in Linlithgow, Scotland, by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh and Woodhouselee. James Hamilton fired at James Stuart from behind a window with a carbine, in a well planed assassination, and mortally wounded him. James Stuart of Morray was buried in February 1570.