John Hinckley Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Hinckley fired six shots from a Röhm RG-14 .22 caliber revolver as Reagan was returning to his limousine after a speaking engagement. The shooting wounded Reagan, who was hit by a bullet that ricocheted off the limousine and struck him under the left arm, causing serious internal injuries. Additionally, White House Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy, and police officer Thomas Delahanty were also wounded during the attack

. Hinckley's motive was reportedly to impress actress Jodie Foster, with whom he had developed an obsession

. After the shooting, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was confined to a psychiatric hospital for many years