Where is John Hinckley Now? What Happened to John Hinckley?

Where is John Hinckley Jr. Now?

John Hinckley Jr. is now focusing on his music career. He recently released a folk album called Redemption through Asbestos Records, which tells stories of personal growth and overcoming the past. Hinckley had been sharing his music online anonymously due to a court order, but since 2020, he has been able to publicly showcase his work.

He has a YouTube channel with over 32,000 followers, where he posts original songs and covers. Despite security issues causing him to cancel some concerts, he continues to share positive and uplifting music. Hinckley was granted unconditional release last year and lives in Virginia.

(Source: WAVY)

Who is John Hinckley Jr.?

John Hinckley Jr. is an American man who tried to kill President Ronald Reagan in 1981. He used a gun and injured Reagan and others. Hinckley was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and wanted to impress her. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent over 30 years in psychiatric care. In 2016, he was allowed to leave care with conditions, and by 2022, all restrictions on him were lifted. He now shares his artwork and music publicly and runs a YouTube channel for his music.

What Happened to John Hinckley Jr.?

On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. traveled to Washington, D.C., and stayed in a hotel. He planned to shoot President Reagan to impress actress Jodie Foster. At the Hilton Hotel, where Reagan was speaking, Hinckley fired six bullets. The shots hit several people: press secretary James Brady, police officer Thomas Delahanty, and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy. One bullet also hit Reagan, who was injured but survived.

Hinckley was quickly tackled by bystanders and agents. He was taken into custody and later found not guilty by reason of insanity. He spent over 30 years in psychiatric care before being released in 2016 under strict conditions. In 2022, all restrictions on him were lifted.

(Source: Guardian)

John Hinckley Jr. Early Life

John Hinckley Jr. was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and moved to Dallas, Texas, with his wealthy family when he was four. His father ran Vanderbilt Energy Corporation, and his mother was Jo Ann Hinckley. Hinckley grew up in University Park and went to Highland Park High School in Dallas.

After graduating in 1973, his family moved to Evergreen, Colorado, where their new company headquarters was located. He attended Texas Tech University on and off from 1974 to 1980 but dropped out. Hinckley moved to Los Angeles in 1975 to pursue a songwriting career but didn't succeed and later returned to his parents' home. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he began buying and practicing with weapons and was prescribed medication for his emotional issues.

John Hinckley Jr. Jodie Foster

John Hinckley Jr. became obsessed with the 1976 film Taxi Driver, where the main character, Travis Bickle, plots to kill a presidential candidate. Hinckley was particularly fixated on Jodie Foster, who played a young girl in the movie. He started mimicking the character Bickle and even moved to New Haven, Connecticut, to be close to Foster when she attended Yale University. Although he had money from his parents for a writing course, he used it to send Foster letters and poems and to stalk her.

When his attempts to connect with Foster failed, Hinckley decided to impress her by making a big splash in history. He planned to do this by assassinating a president. He followed President Jimmy Carter during his campaign and was arrested in October 1980 for trying to board a flight with guns and handcuffs. After being fined and released, he continued his plan and eventually targeted President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley collected information on presidential assassinations to prepare for his attempt.