Reagan’s Would-Be Assassin John Hinckley Jr. Calls for ‘Peace’ Following Trump Shooting

John Hinckley Jr., the man who attempted to assassinate former President Ronald Reagan in 1981, called on the U.S. to “give peace a chance,” voicing his opposition to violence in response to Saturday’s attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life.

“Violence is not the way to go. Give peace a chance,” Hinckley tweeted on Wednesday.

Hinckley’s statement came after a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot at Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, wounding the former president and killing one rally-goer.

Trump, who attended the Republican National Convention less than 48 hours later, is set to accept the party nomination at the party’s national convention in Milwaukee.

Released from prison unconditionally in 2022, Hinckley, now 69, has sought to rebuild his life as a folk musician and painter. Hinckley’s 1981 assassination attempt left Reagan seriously wounded and caused lasting injuries to White House press secretary James Brady.

Found not guilty by reason of insanity, Hinckley was confined to psychiatric care for decades before his release.

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