Today in History: John Hinckley Attempted to Assassinate President Ronald Reagan

On March 30, 1981, United States president Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C. as he was returning to his limousine after a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton.

Reagan was seriously wounded by a .22 Long Rifle bullet that rebounded off the side of the presidential limousine and hit him in the left underarm, breaking a rib, puncturing a lung, and causing serious internal bleeding.

He was close to death upon arrival at George Washington University Hospital but was stabilized in the emergency room, then underwent emergency surgery.

White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and DC police officer Thomas Delahanty were also wounded. All three survived, but Brady suffered brain damage and was permanently disabled.

Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was placed in a psychiatric facility. 

On September 10, 2016, Hinckley was released from the psychiatric ward and is now a free man.

Photo: Flickr