John Hinckley Jr., President Reagan's Would-Be Assassin, Released After 35 Years: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — John Hinckley Jr., President Ronald Reagan's would-be assassin, will be released from a government mental hospital to live full-time with his mother, The Washington Post reported Wednesday morning.

Hinckley, 61, no longer poses a danger to himself, a federal judge ruled, and will be freed to live with his mom in Williamsburg, Virginia, as soon as Aug. 5, the newspaper reported.

Hinckley was 25 years old March 30, 1981, when he went to the Washington Hilton, waiting outside before shooting Reagan as he exited the hotel. White House press secretary James Brady, a Secret Service officer and a police officer were severely wounded in the shooting. Reagan survived but not before a quick decision to take him to the hospital.

Hinckley said he purchased the gun at a pawn shop and that he did it to impress actress Jodie Foster. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and confined to St. Elizabeth's, a psychiatric hospital located in southeast Washington, D.C.

Eighteen years later, the court began allowing Hinckley visits with his family. Hinckley's visits turned into monthly 17-day visits, Washingtonian reported. He visits his 90-year-old mother at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg and isn't allowed on the internet without her supervision, the magazine reported.