Reagan Assassination Attempt Hinckley "Freedom"... Performance Canceled

Released After 41 Years
Expresses Feelings via Tweet
Scheduled Performance Canceled Due to Increased Threats

John Hinckley (center in the photo), who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, is being escorted by the police.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] John Hinckley, who attempted to assassinate then-US President Ronald Reagan in 1981, has gained complete freedom after 41 years since the crime. He expressed his joy by tweeting the word "freedom," but the scheduled concert was canceled.

According to US media, 67-year-old Hinckley was released from probation on the 15th (local time). He tweeted on his Twitter account, "41 years, 2 months, 15 days, finally freedom." Earlier, on the 1st, Judge Paul Friedman of the Washington DC Federal District Court stated that if Hinckley continues to maintain a stable mental state in the Virginia community, all restrictions would be lifted.

Hinckley shot then-President Reagan on March 30, 1981, when he was 25 years old, in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel. He calmly revealed that his motive for the crime was to assassinate the president to impress actress Jodie Foster deeply.

Afterwards, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was treated in a psychiatric hospital instead of prison. Since 2016, he has been under probation at his home in Virginia.

During probation, Hinckley became a YouTube star by releasing videos of himself singing and playing the guitar. He has as many as 30,000 followers. A concert was scheduled for the 8th of next month in Brooklyn, New York, but it was canceled on that day. The venue stated that although Hinckley's concert tickets were sold out, the show was canceled due to ongoing threats. Hinckley is also scheduled to perform in Chicago on the 23rd of next month.

The Reagan Foundation did not hide its discomfort. In a statement, the Reagan Foundation expressed regret, saying, "We are saddened and concerned by the fact that Hinckley has been released and plans to build a music career for profit."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.