Assassination Attempt on President Reagan: Key Points

Date and Incident Overview

• Date: March 30th, 1981
• Location: Outside the Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C.
• Perpetrator: John Hinckley, a 25-year-old with romantic delusions involving actress Jodie Foster.

Motive

• Hinckley believed that killing the president would impress actress Jodie Foster.

The Attempt

• Target: President Ronald Reagan
• Action: Hinckley fired at the president, penetrating two security perimeters.

Response by Secret Service

• Key Agents Involved:
  • Jerry Parr
  • Ray Shattuck
  • Tim McCarthy
• Actions:
  • Parr and Shattuck immediately grabbed the president and threw him into the car.
  • Tim McCarthy shielded Reagan with his body, taking a bullet.
• Outcome:
  • The limousine sped away from the scene of chaos.

Casualties and Injuries

• Injured:
  • Agent Tim McCarthy
  • Press Secretary James Brady (permanent brain damage)
  • D.C. Policeman Thomas Delahanty

Analysis and Mistakes

• Security System:
  • Relied on a three-layer perimeter system:
    • Outer: Preliminary check by local police
    • Middle: Secret Service agents searching for weapons
    • Inner: Agents surrounding the president
  • Hinckley penetrated two perimeters, firing five shots at close range.

Post-Attempt Security Changes

• Metal Detectors:
  • Secret Service received authorization to use metal detectors days after the attempt.
• Perimeter Tightening:
  • Security perimeters were tightened.
  • The practice of open arrivals and departures for the president ended.

Summary

• The attempt on President Reagan’s life demonstrated flaws in the security system yet highlighted the training and bravery of Secret Service agents, particularly Agent Tim McCarthy, who exemplified the commitment to presidential protection.