The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute issued a press release in reaction to the release of John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Reagan in 1981.
"John Hinckley is responsible for the shooting of President Reagan and three other brave men. One died two years ago from the wounds he received. Contrary to the judge's decision, we believe John Hinckley is still a threat to others and we strongly oppose his release,"
according to a press release.
A federal judge, Judge Paul L. Friedman, is allowing Hinckley to
leave a government psychiatric hospital.
The victim in the Foundation's statement referred to as having died "two years ago" is former Reagan press secretary James Brady, who died in 2014. He was left paralyzed after a gunshot wound to the head by Hinckley. A Virginia medical examiner found his death in 2014
related to injuries he sustained in the shooting, according to the New York Times.
Reagan died in 2004 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Friedman said Hinckley no longer posed a threat to himself or others, and he will be allowed to live full-time in Williamsburg, Va. "on convalescent leave," the court ruled.
The judge ordered Hinckley to work or volunteer at least three days a week. He was ordered not to speak to or contact the news media. He is allowed to drive unaccompanied in a 30-mile radius.
Hinckley shot President Reagan on March 30, 1981. He injured Reagan, Brady, a Washington police officer, and a Secret Service agent.
He said he shot Reagan in an attempt to impress actress Jodie Foster, whom he had seen in the movie "Taxi Driver." He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and confined to a Washington psychiatric hospital.
Hinckley was ordered to have no contact with Foster or any member of Reagan's or Brady's family.
"Mr. Hinckley recognizes what he did was horrific," Hinckley's attorney Barry Levine said,
according to The Washington Post.
Reagan's daughter, Patti Reagan Davis, opposed the release.
"I hope the doctors are right when they say that John Hinckley isn't a danger to anyone, but something in me feels they are wrong," she told the Post in 2015.
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