LOS ANGELES (KNX) – In his first interview since being given unconditional release, John Hinckley Jr. said he regrets his 1981 assassination attempt of then-president Ronald Reagan.
"I have true remorse for what I did,” Hinckley Jr. said. “I know [the victims] probably can't forgive me now, but I just want them to know that I am sorry for what I did.”
When asked about what he remembered feeling the moment he opened fire outside the Washington Hilton, Hinckley Jr. said he can't remember.
“It’s such another lifetime ago,” he told CBS News' chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett. “I can’t tell you now the emotion I had, you know, right as (Reagan) came walking out…I just can’t tell you that.” He then confirmed the shooting is something he doesn’t want to remember.
In addition to Reagan, press secretary James Brady, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy and police officer Thomas Delahanty were also caught in the gunfire. Brady was left paralyzed following the shooting and died from his injuries in 2014.
“I shot four people,” Hinckley Jr., acknowledged. “And I’m sorry to the Reagan family, the Brady family, the other families of the victims.”
He then added, “Sorry to Jodie Foster, for bringing her into this.”
During his trial, Hinckley Jr.’s lawyers argued it was his mental health and his obsession with the actress (as well as the 1976 Martin Scorsese film “Taxi Driver”) that led him to the assassination attempt.
In June 1982, Hinckley Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was put into St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where he spent over 30 years. In the early 2000’s, Hinckley Jr. was allowed to visit his parent’s home in Williamsburg, Virginia, according to the Los Angeles Times. In 2016, he was given permission to live with his mom with restrictions.
Earlier this month, he was released without conditions.
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