On March 30, 1981, six shots were fired at President Ronald Reagan outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington. The shooter, John Hinckley, was taken to the ground immediately. This photo taken by presidential photographer Mike Evens captures Reagan waving to the crowd moments before the attempted assassination.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
On March 30, 1981, six shots were fired at President Ronald Reagan outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington. The shooter, John Hinckley, was taken to the ground immediately. This photo taken by presidential photographer Mike Evens captures Reagan waving to the crowd moments before the attempted assassination.
MIKE EVENS/AFP/Getty Images
In less than two seconds, Hinckley fires off six shots, hitting Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and D.C. Police Officer Thomas Delahanty. One bullet hits the limo's armored glass and another ricochets off, hitting Reagan in the abdomen.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
In less than two seconds, Hinckley fires off six shots, hitting Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and D.C. Police Officer Thomas Delahanty. One bullet hits the limo's armored glass and another ricochets off, hitting Reagan in the abdomen.
MIKE EVENS/AFP/Getty Images
As the bullet hits Reagan, lead agent Jerry Parr grabs the president's shoulders and pushes him down into the limo. Secret Service agent Ray Shaddick slams the door shut and the motorcade bolts from the scene.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
As the bullet hits Reagan, lead agent Jerry Parr grabs the president's shoulders and pushes him down into the limo. Secret Service agent Ray Shaddick slams the door shut and the motorcade bolts from the scene.
MIKE EVENS/AFP/Getty Images
A barrage of Secret Service agents holds down Hinckley and tends to the wounded.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
A barrage of Secret Service agents holds down Hinckley and tends to the wounded.
Dirck Halstead//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
A chaotic scene ensues after the assassination attempt.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
A chaotic scene ensues after the assassination attempt.
Dirck Halstead/Getty Images
As people storm the scene of the crime, Reagan is rushed to George Washington University Hospital in a split-second decision that possibly saved his life. The bullet penetrated within an inch of the president's heart, filling one lung with blood.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
As people storm the scene of the crime, Reagan is rushed to George Washington University Hospital in a split-second decision that possibly saved his life. The bullet penetrated within an inch of the president's heart, filling one lung with blood.
Dirck Halstead/Liaison
Brady is placed into an ambulance after the shooting. He suffered severe brain trauma and was unable to return to his post at the White House.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Brady is placed into an ambulance after the shooting. He suffered severe brain trauma and was unable to return to his post at the White House.
Dirck Halstead/Liaison
Hinckley is escorted by police following his arrest. He was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster, haven written to her from his hotel room earlier that day, "There is a definite possibility that I may be killed in my attempt to get Reagan." Hinckley wrote he was doing this to try to win her love.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Hinckley is escorted by police following his arrest. He was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster, haven written to her from his hotel room earlier that day, "There is a definite possibility that I may be killed in my attempt to get Reagan." Hinckley wrote he was doing this to try to win her love.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Four days after the assassination attempt, Reagan and the first lady pose for a photo inside the George Washington University Hospital.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Four days after the assassination attempt, Reagan and the first lady pose for a photo inside the George Washington University Hospital.
MIKE EVENS/AFP/Getty Images
Reagan recovers at the hospital.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Reagan recovers at the hospital.
The White House/Getty Images
Hinckley poses for a photo in front of the White House. A federal judge committed Hinckley to St. Elizabeth's Hospital after a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity in the spring of 1982.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Hinckley poses for a photo in front of the White House. A federal judge committed Hinckley to St. Elizabeth's Hospital after a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity in the spring of 1982.
AFP/Getty Images
Vice President George H.W. Bush was en route to Texas at the time of the assassination attempt. Bush immediately headed back to Washington, but the lack of a secure phone line between his plane and the White House contributed a brief sense of confusion within the administration. The result was Secretary of State Alexander Haig's infamous declaration that he was "in control ... pending the return of the vice president."
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
Vice President George H.W. Bush was en route to Texas at the time of the assassination attempt. Bush immediately headed back to Washington, but the lack of a secure phone line between his plane and the White House contributed a brief sense of confusion within the administration. The result was Secretary of State Alexander Haig's infamous declaration that he was "in control ... pending the return of the vice president."
Penelope Bresse/Getty Images
After the attack, Reagan joked with his wife saying he "forgot to duck" and asked the attending doctors if they were Republicans. The president and first lady seen here outside the hospital.
The attempted assassination of Reagan —
After the attack, Reagan joked with his wife saying he "forgot to duck" and asked the attending doctors if they were Republicans. The president and first lady seen here outside the hospital.
Ronald Reagan Library/Getty Images