Direct hit to the head, as evidenced in this photo.
Mr. Gemayel was a powerful political symbol of the Christian community in Lebanon. In the 1950's, his grandfather, also named Pierre, founded the Phalange Party, for decades the dominant Christian political group in the country; its militia eventually became a major part of the Lebanese Forces. He died in the 1980's.
Mr. Gemayel's uncle, Bashir, was a Christian militia leader who was elected president but was assassinated before he could assume office; his brother Amin, Mr. Gemayel's father, was chosen to serve as president in his place.
This is an incident that may be up there with the assassination of the Grand Duke Ferdinand. I hope not, but it sure has all the earmarks.