John Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, driven by an obsession with actress Jodie Foster. Found not guilty by reason of insanity, he was later released with restrictions. So the correct option is B.
The attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan occurred on March 30, 1981. The perpetrator was John Hinckley Jr., making the correct answer B.
On that fateful day, Hinckley fired six shots outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in an attempt to assassinate President Reagan. The motive behind the assassination attempt was Hinckley's obsession with the actress Jodie Foster, and he believed that by carrying out this act, he could impress her. Hinckley's mental health issues were evident, and his actions were later attributed to his unstable psychological state.
Reagan, along with three others, was wounded in the attack. The president suffered a punctured lung, but he ultimately survived after undergoing surgery. The event led to increased security measures for U.S. presidents.
During the trial, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. This verdict sparked a public outcry and led to changes in the legal standards for insanity defenses. Hinckley was committed to psychiatric care, and over the years, his mental health status was periodically reassessed. In 2016, he was released from institutional care and placed under various restrictions and conditions. The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan remains a notable and consequential event in U.S. history, highlighting the complex intersection of mental health, criminal justice, and presidential security.