Final answer:
Sergeant Boston Corbett shot John Wilkes Booth in the neck, leading to Booth's death, contrary to the notion of a self-inflicted wound. This took place after Booth assassinated President Lincoln and refused to surrender while hiding in a barn.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sergeant Boston Corbett is often credited with the fatal shooting of John Wilkes Booth. Contrary to the provided information that suggests Booth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, historical accounts indicate that it was actually Boston Corbett who shot Booth on April 26, 1865. Booth, responsible for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, was discovered hiding in a barn in Virginia by Union soldiers. After Booth refused to surrender and the barn was set ablaze, Corbett shot Booth, citing later that he believed Booth was about to use his weapons. Corbett's shot hit Booth in the neck, ultimately leading to Booth's death several hours later, ending the manhunt following Lincoln's assassination.