I have passed this man many times on a walking trail in my Kingsmill neighborhood in Williamsburg Virginia. I have to admit it's kind of a heart stopper. 😳

He saw the movie Taxi Driver and said, "Literally me."

It's important to remember that this man was incredibly sick. He did not try to kill Reagan because of political motivations, it was because he was severely unwell and needed help. Reagan himself forgave him and I am glad he got the help he so severely needed.

It's incredibly moving to hear about individuals reflecting on their past actions and expressing genuine remorse. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to publicly acknowledge mistakes, especially ones of such gravity. This kind of story can serve as a powerful reminder of the capacity for change and growth within us all. It's a testament to the idea that people can learn from their past and work towards becoming better versions of themselves. Let's hope that sharing these reflections can help others on their own journeys of personal growth and healing.

His story plays out over and over again in mass shootings. Lonely, depressed young men who seemed to be cut off from friends and family. Hopelessness plus ACCESS TO A GUN seems to be a recipe for disaster in the hands of some young men.

John Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. It's not an unfair verdict. He was insane. As he said, it took 41 years and a lot of work for him to earn his freedom. If you believe in forgiveness, you have to believe he earned it.

In a way, this story is kind of hopeful. Reading up on it, the levels of social withdrawal he had, the delusions and total loss of contact with reality he had, and to then be able to overcome it to become a functional person, it sends quite a message about how much we've disposed other people with schizophrenia, condemned them to either the streets or prisons or suicide, or worse, a mass-casualty event with suicide. He received incredible mental health support, and I wish that was the norm for everyone in America. And I wish this support was available in the teenage years when it could change their whole life trajectory.

Mental illness is 100% real and needs to be treated as earlier as possible. Parents need to learn to recognize the signs, accept the situation and get their children help. I wish my brother had the help he needed sooner in his life. Unfortunately by the time we found out it was too late for him to reverse course as he was a fully grown man. Had they caught it sooner it may have made the difference, there were definitely signs. My brother took his own life a couple of years ago. I pray he is in a better place, suffering no longer.

It’s important to note that he’s overcome quite a lot. Going from clinically insane to being able to participate fully in society takes extreme effort and motivation. I think this effort is indicative of his success and the ability for him to use a second chance. I hope for the best for him.

I was in the 6th grade when that happened and I remember it like it was yesterday. Im glad he got the psych help he needed and has been put back into society. Im sure he is being watched constantly by many government agencies. I can see why not everyone can forgive him. Its their choice.

I also remember it like it was yesterday. I was at work and my Father called me and told me the President had been shot. I told the entire office out loud. It wasn't announced by anyone else. I feel like the worse thing was what it did to the Brady Family. It totally changed their life. I'm not sure what happened to the Secret Service agent. I'll have to look into it. Apparently he was also highly affected. It is sad how something like a movie could have such an impression on a person. I'm sure he is not the same person especially after being in a mental hospital being pumped full of drugs all those years. I'm also sure a lot of people in prison after this many years aren't the same person but they will most likely not get out. He should consider himself very lucky to be free. I understand now his Mother has died. It's just all sad.

I'm glad this guy got the help he needed. If he had it in the first place, the assassination attempt may not have happened. His case is unique in that it was immediately understood by everyone that he was completely insane. He actually believed Jodi Foster was going to show up afterward to marry him. Even while being told he was in isolation for attempted assassination of the president. He would wake up every day expecting her to be there. The dude even had numerous journals where he believed she was talking back in writing. No one understood the level of insanity until reading those journals. This is one of the only people in history to use insanity as a defense against an assassination attempt successfully. Because there was no refuting how far in the woods he was.

As a mental health worker one thing I really hate about this interview is that it doesn’t even try to educate viewers on what any of his diagnoses are or even what a “delusion” is. The comments are enough evidence that people are just not educated enough on mental illness. I’m not saying that being mentally ill is an excuse for shooting people, let alone a president, but I don’t think people quite understand that he was literally too sick to understand the gravity of what he was planning on doing

Whether or not his acts are forgivable, I do believe he is sincere in his attempt to meaningfully change as a person for the better and to be open to outside help for his mental conditions. I think he really does mean it when he apologizes and admits his wrongs, that's more than many others can say for other such cases.

Watching the speed in which the Secret Service agents reacted back then - amazing and impressive!

I understand that what he did was horrible, but I can't lie, it makes me happy to hear that he's changed. Happy for him :)

I remember the day when Reagan was shot. I was in college and I had no idea that some 41 years later I'd be watching the shooter out free and giving interviews on UKposts....

This guy shot a cop, a us president, and two other people and he a free man , how is this possible?

I'll never forget watching that horrific event on TV. To me, the testimony from Dr. Park Elliott Dietz was very compelling. I'd love to hear what he thinks about Hinckley's release. I hope I'm wrong in thinking Hinckley never stopped being manipulative.

I am certainly not a psychiatrist, but I have to say that everything he says seems perfectly sane to me.

meanwhile there are people who have committed non violent crimes, locked up for life without parole but this guy is free and given air time by national news. kmt

I'm sure he's not totally free there's no way you could commit a crime like that and they just let you go free as a bird. I'm sure he's being watched from his calls, to internet, and even his daily activities. We live in a time of mass shootings and he seems heavily medicated, I'm sure a few weeks without medication and he'll be a different person and he's able bodied, so he's still dangerous.

This man has changed through his life & is now living a better life & realizing what he tried to do was wrong very wrong & besides we all have to forgive ourselves of what we do the worst.

As a former mental health counselor for level 3 psychiatric inmates, I have reservations about how much “freedom” he should have. Compliance with meds is a huge concern as it is with any individual suffering from mental illness .Those of us who were alive and remember that fateful day are likely more hesitant to buy into his claims that he is no longer a threat, but society as a whole is more forgiving and tolerant than we were back then. Has he served enough time for the crimes he committed….I think he probably has, but is he cured/no longer dangerous …absolutely nothing can convince me of that. His blank affect tells me that he’s heavily medicated and again, anyone that has dealt with mentally unwell people know that non-compliance can be disastrous.

It is incredibly a miracle that he is speaking...living over 40 years in an institution... i worked at a lockdown facility for mental patients in a unit for criminals. automatically all patients who have assaulted children, sex offenders, aggressive people, just arrested, or came from the prison, they are all lumped together. on bad days where everyone is freaking out, the nurse would sedate and have us restrain them. sometimes the shots would work and other times, they would murmur and mumble to themselves in bed, completely unable to get up. Ive seen people deteriorate mentally and lose all abilities to communicate properly. i've seen patients unable to get up to use the restroom and theyre soiled. give them no antipyschotics and youll see that same guy masturbating in the hallway staring at a fire extinguisher. it's really a tough environment and a tough job. the only thing that kept me going was to know i had a home to go back to. i had my cats, my osrs(games), my music, my redbull, my mary jane. i was sooo grateful i got somewhere to go back to after being 12 hours a shift in a place i felt so...diffferent. im sure he learned to adapt but its actually very impressive that hes sitting there. I cant actually believe it, it just shows he really really really wants his life and community and hes actually sorry. i dont think anyone has the ability to last 40 years in a mental institution and come out like that. or even fathom what those 40 years felt like. im serious

Glad he got the help he needed, and if he's genuine and is changed and is apologetic, then I'm also glad for him.

I think this man showing genuine remose and ability to change and if he lives oyt the rest of his life it will prove to people that people can change

1:59 this ruined it for me. The fact he can’t see why some people may interpret him as a danger is extremely telling and concerning. Also him saying “even though I don’t have to” about meds. Yikes. I have some mental illnesses and I’m somewhat stable right now. But I always fear relapsing. If I did something like he did I’d be terrified of that happening again. Losing that control. Which makes me believe he never lost control, he was fully in control..

If he truly has changed, I think he is in a unique position to helps those who are having trouble with mental illness nowadays…

I truly believe him. I really hope he finds healing and moves forward.

When I went to the Ronald Reagan Library in California I was just taken aback at this part of the museum. It really puts you into the mindset of the moment, making you feel you were there, and feeling the fear and confusion of this terrifying moment. A miracle that Reagan survived.

Wonder how many times the staff beat him up in the hospital.... I can't imagine what they do to someone who tries this.

I’m happy this man got help, and he learnt and now he is going to do well, unfortunately a lot of his life went down the drain but he can turn it around.

He looks heavily medicated

We all need forgiveness for one reason or another in this life.

My office was on the 2nd floor of that building overlooking the site. Wasn't at my desk when it happened though. I was on the elevator returning from a smoke break on the Connecticut Ave. side....that street crossing behind them.

I believe him. One in five people have the types of mental illness they said John had/has, and sadly now shootings are far more common as opposed to back then. After 40+ years I think he did his time and learned his lesson, but only he knows if that is really true. Just imagine if you were him (I know it's hard, but really try) would you feel this was justified? How would yo feel if you did everything and then some that society asks and people still wondered if you could be trusted.... Look, Reagan forgave and I believe that is powerful. If he can, why can't we?

Balanced. We can all decide what side of the fence we need to sit on but this segment was fair and helpful for us to make that decision. More of this type of news is helpful. Kudos.

I think forgiveness is important. Especially considering his mental disorders. However, we can’t force anyone to forgive him. I hope he continues to stick with his treatment as he has for 41 years and I hope he has the opportunity to impact his community in a positive way.

He giving back through his art. I wonder how much a Hinckley goes for these days? I might buy one.

While one can be sceptical that someone who committed a horrible offense and is found to be insane, can be rehabilitated. And that's certainly the case for some, I think it's import to not just clump every case/person together and deem 'them all' impossible to rehabilitate.

My uncle was one of the secret service agents that was there and also shown in the video just before the shots were fired. He wasn’t one of the ones that was injured.

I totally understand & have sympathy for him. Yes, he made mistakes. He has been treated for his illnesses. If someone wants to really go through therapy & counseling, I applaud his efforts. I do agree with him about being better after it's done. It takes time & dedication to change a life & work through his issues. I can see that he is remorseful, & is doing different things to be a part of society. The arresting officer needs to forgive him, it's been 41 years.

A black man would’ve never received such privilege and that’s what angers me here the most. I wish the best for John.

It’s easy for us to say “forgive him” but the secret service agent that was there said “hell no” I am going with him.

"I wish they would pass a law where all Democrats and Republicans had to wear NASCAR racing suits, because if you look at the NASCAR drivers, it tells who their sponsors are. And if they do that, we could then become informed voters, because we would know who owns them." ~ Jesse Ventura

Wow wait what? I met him in Virginia at a state park. I knew of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, I knew of John Hinckley. I did not know that the man I met was John Hinckley though. I think I always pictured John Hinckley from the 80s. obviously he didn’t tell me he was John Hinckley, but he did tell me his name is John. I talked to this guy about the trail we were on and about music. My brain is in overload right now. The guy was very rememberable that was on the trail with and now I know why. I’m freaking out right now. I had no clue who I was talking to, wtf. No freaking way whaaaaaaaaaaat.

People always claim insanity but when they purchase a weapon and make plans on what they are about to do, they are sane.

This guy's parents lived in my town, my mom has seen him around town and even spoken to him on occasion and said there's something not quite right about him still but she can't put her finger on it

He comes across as genuine. For some reason I believe him

The fact that he thinks mental illness can be cured rather than controlled or that he's adequately paid his debt to society demonstrates how little he understands the gravity of what he did. He almost killed four people, severely disabling one of them. James Brady eventually died as a direct result of the injuries Hinkley inflicted that day.

5:31 The camera flash makes it look like the Secret Service agent fired his Uzi in the air.

I met him when he was a patient at st Elizabeth hospital in dc in the 80’s . He looked just like that picture. I was a student writing a research paper

You guys seem so kind and compassionate in the comments, wish it were like this on other videos if you know what I mean

The entire justice system is based upon the idea that a man can change, if he wants to change then let him.

It would have been a profound statement if he mentioned the names of the two other victims he shot. He's had over 40 years to reflect.

The Jodie Foster part is truly wild. Apparently,Jodie Foster was talking/corresponding with him.Now,Jodie Foster had no idea this guy was that deranged and she was young and naive and all she did was just talk to him.The Secret Service did a whole investigation about his relationship with Jodie Foster.

It’s comforting reading the comments of people wishing him well…. Sometimes people make awful mistakes but they can learn and grow to be better people from those mistakes. It’s not all just black and white. I wish him the best of luck as well as many others trying to be better than they were.

Hinckley’s brother canceled an oil business meeting with Neil Bush scheduled for later that week in April 1981. Neil, the son of Vice President George HW Bush, to clarify. John Hinckley’s father was one of the first to contribute to George W Bush’s political career in the 1970s in Texas. One of the most under reported stories in American history.

One of the terrible starts to gun control........Only takes one person to ruin it. I remember as a kid riding my bike when my family would visit family in the country seeing trucks with gun racks with a rifle/shot gun in the back window at high schools. One time in 3rd or 4th grade I got on the school bus realizing I had my knife in my pocket once on the bus, told the bus driver she said hang on to it when we get the rest of the kids picked up ill swing you by your house to drop it off! wouldn't happen like that today, Today kids are getting soft and don't know what a good old fist fight is.... they just pull a gun. Never thought i'd have to worry about my brother being a teacher and putting his life on the line to teach some ungreatful kids. AMERICA has lost its way....

this guy is based af

Oh my God why is anyone bothering interviewing this criminal. He caused so much pain and heartache. Poor Jim Brady became disabled due to him. This is absolutely ridiculous to show him any attention.

James Brady and his family suffered a huge loss!!!

Dear Sir, Jodie Foster was never interested in you. Or any man, for that matter.

I’m sure there are plenty of people who would say this guy should have been locked up for life but honestly… I do believe this guy was clinically insane. To say someone cannot be cured is just narrow minded. After 40 years I think he has been at least controlled if not cured. Also he claims he takes his meds so if that true, then yeah it probably helps him.

I am a opened minded person, I will watch this to the end. So fascinating! I will never forget the day...I am still filled with anger! The animal that carried out that horrific crime is not the same person now...truly. I am glad for his transformation, truly. I want to like him, and help him...he seems very apologetic. But I can not get passed the damage he inflicted James Brady.

I can’t abide and don’t appreciate these kinds of interviews. It’s like playing the devils advocate, which surely leaves the wrong impression on possible unhinged people

A second chance, use it well sir & don’t let naysayers bring you anywhere near what you felt before. You got this. (For anyone struggling)

Lmfao they let this guy out on insanity 🤣 I love America

Makes me angry he can still go after Jodie Foster though. Poor Jodie has to live with this everyday. And he did kill James Brady as he died decades later from complications due to his lifechanging injuries.

An antipsychotic drug doesnt treat 5 personality disorders

Wow its amazing this guy got to be interviewed. He's come a long way

Obviously I don't think this applies to every crime but I think in this specific case, the fact that he served over 4 decades as a mental patient means he deserves a second chance at living some sort of life. 41 years is a long god damn time.

the older we get, "Bad guys" reasoning was that they were literally crazy, and they can come in all shapes and sizes. as responsible as a crazy person is for their own actions, society is too for creating the conditions to create such a personality. a bit more kindness is what the world needs to lessen the creation of said personalities.

And I'm sure Brady would have stood up and clapped his hands after hearing of his release, maybe even gave him a hug. Smfh

This is BS people are in jail with no parole for petty crimes and this guy is OUT!! WTF

If you've never lost anybody to gun violence and you've never forgiven the person responsible you can never understand this. I lost my dad to gun violence and it took me a very very very long time to get over it and I'm still not quite over it but I have made the step to forgive the person responsible and if they were alive today and had not taken their own life that night I would tell them to their face but I do pray that when I die God will give me the opportunity to face that man face-to-face so I can have a conversation with him. And I also pray and hope that God redeemed him and let him enter into heaven because he just made a bad decision that night he wasn't a bad person

I wish him the best, but it’s apparent that he’s still mentally not well. I don’t believe he grasps what he truly did. 🙏🏻

They knew. They had to know.

As a person who deals with mental health an been around ppl with mental illness all my life I truly believe he worked on himself an is wanting to do better he is sick not evil what he did was not right but it’s not like he had a clear mind when he did it

I wish him well, and hope his life is one of happiness and contentment. He appears genuine.

"Even though I don't need them I take the meds" this statement is very concerning.

My sister and Brother in laws neighbor a surgeon in the Navy was one of President Reagan's Doctors as he was about to be operated on, and apparently according to this Navy surgeon Reagan was making all kinds of off color jokes before his anesthesia. I'm the same age as Hinkley. I've had some pretty messed up days as a former addict, but this man was over the top insane To bad his family didn't help him before he did this crazy thing. But sounds like he had nothing to do with them at that time. Instead of caring about John Hinckley the family let him drift. And the result was this when it was possible it could have been avoided.

I’m on the fence over whether it’s a good idea for Hinckley to do these interviews. The corporate media is very savage in tearing people apart for the sake of getting public approval. If I were Hinckley, I would lay low and not give interviews to anybody. I would also not be doing any “redemption concerts” either.

This is a difficult thing that can't be generalized and can only be taken by a case by case basis. I believe you can see in this video how he continues to suffer cognitively or mentally in some way. But I do believe that medication saves lives and had he been medicated as a young man, who knows. It is not up to anyone else but the victims to forgive, and forgiveness translates differently from person to person. His statement on guns is intriguing

He looks like someone on meds and he confirmed it. I think he learned his lesson over the decades.

I was just thinking of Taxi Driver and they then said about it LOL

Strange that he was just a boy with no prospects for the future, he had a family that was highly placed in the oil business. He may have been depressed, but the underlying reason that led this man to have so many diagnoses seems obscure to me. There may have been cases of schizophrenia in his family history, but his parents seemed perfectly normal. Parents who, however, have always loved and defended him.

The news reporter completely drilled him unfairly. And anti psychotic meds are not as crazy as anyone thinks. Lots of people are on them. They're not just for literally completely nuts people. These meds also help people who have racing and intrusive thoughts and self harming behavior and are anti depressants and mood stabilizers themselves.

5:31 Aos brasileiros: O fotógrafo que aparece ali é o Sebastião Salgado.

At 4:50 he mentions that he feels bad for the Reagan family and the Brady family, then can't even remember the names of the other 2 people he shot. But then apologized to Jodie Foster. I'm glad there are several thousand miles between me and this ticking time bomb.

What a champ. As someone who has suffered from mental health and addiction issues my whole life, I can see that he has turned his life around and is trying his hardest to be the best version of himself he can be, like all of us who suffer with mental health issues. I wish nothing but the best for him. And the fact, like many of us, that he uses music to help cope, I can only take my hat off to him.. Keep rockin, John! 🎸

The guy walked to the interview with his guitar and mentioned 'his music' and art at the end of the interview. I think he believed he was going to play some of his music during the interview. If that was the case, I'm glad they didn't show it. Society now just crosses its fingers hoping he takes his meds everyday.

I was working at Timsco SilkScreen Printing Co. in NE DC and driving to work when I hear President Reagan had just been shot. Sad our citizens are so under served or not served by our Health Care System in this country. Consider who you vote for very carefully.

This man can give us serious insight into why this "mass shooting hysteria" is happening today. This mans motive was something no sane person would have imagined. Making a case that sane people almost cannot anticipate or assume the actions of a person who is severely mentally ill.

My Mother was born on 2/5/1981 and to think she was nearly 2 weeks old when this happened is quite interesting

People who attempt to kill others should never be given a 2nd chance to do it again to someone else.

It’s obvious she does not understand how criminal insanity works or how mental illness works. A person can make drastic mental changes if they put the work in and have support. He was sick yes but that was over forty years ago.

Unfortunately in the US, mental illness isn't taken "seriously". You can ask ANY prison guard...and I know a few...how many people in the US prison system are mentally ill and need to be in a mental hospital vs. a prison.

I'm glad he was able to be helped, he obviously wasn't well. I really do feel, not so much for President Reagan but the others who were wounded - waking up one day, being shot and paralyzed for the rest of your life is a tremendous thing, for the victim and family.