A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington, D.C., hotel while they were getting into the presidential limousine after an event at the Washington Hilton. He was 70 days into his presidential term when it happened.
Also wounded were White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and a District of Columbia police officer, Thomas Delahanty.
Much of the incident was caught on media coverage cameras.
Brady died in 2014 as a result of his injuries. His family fought for enhanced gun laws after the assassination attempt.
Hinckley would be found not guilty by reason of insanity and held at a psychiatric hospital until his supervised release in 2016.
Hinckley, now 70, was freed from court oversight in 2022 but has lived outside of custody since 2016. Hinckley was 25 when he fired six shots at Reagan and his staff.
Reagan, who would go on to serve two terms as president, died in 2004 at age 93.
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the incident and the aftermath:
“Reagan impressive despite his wound”
“Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. president, dies at age 93″
“‘Getting shot hurts,’ Reagan’s diary says”
“Doctors considered leaving bullet in Reagan’s chest”
“Secret Service tape from Reagan attack is released”
“Reagan shooter won’t face new charges in James Brady’s death”
“Gun control is a Brady family mission”
“Judge OKs extra releases for Ronald Reagan shooter”
“Ronald Reagan much-beloved in Utah for decades”
