Reagan’s would-be killer ‘fixated’ by presidential assassination books

The man who shot President Ronald Reagan appeared fixated during a visit to a bookshop last year on a bookshelf bearing titles on presidential assassinations and Reagan’s presidency, according to testimony at a court hearing.

John Hinckley, who shot Reagan in 1981 to impress actress Jodie Foster, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the assassination attempt.

He has been held for the last three decades at a Washington psychiatric hospital, but has been granted increasing freedom in recent years as doctors say his mental illness has been in remission.