WASHINGTON _ A federal judge ordered on Wednesday that John Hinckley Jr., who shot Ronald Reagan and two others 35 years ago, be given a formal release from a mental hospital, according to news reports.
Hinckley has been a psychiatric patient at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C., for decades. The doctors at St. Elizabeth's told the judge that Hinckley can resume an independent life and is legally obligated to advocate for his release, according to CBS News .
Hinckley was given a temporary release in 2013 in which he could spend 17 days a month at his mother's home. The doctors argued last year that Hinckley be given a form of permanent release.
On March 30, 1981, Hinckley opened fire at Reagan as he was leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was hit and nearly died from the gunshot wound. James Brady, Reagan's press secretary, was severely wounded in the shooting and when Brady died in 2014, a medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
After the assassination, Brady became a strong gun control advocate and established the Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence .
Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy was also wounded when he shielded Reagan from the gunman but recovered fully and is a police chief in Illinois.
