The man who tried to assassinate Ronald Reagan has disavowed violence in the wake of the attempt on Donald Trump’s life. 

John Hinckley Jr, who wounded the former US president during an attack in 1981, wrote on X: “Violence is not the way to go. Give peace a chance.”

The post on Wednesday came days after Mr Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Although Hinckley did not directly mention the Republican presidential nominee, people were quick to draw the connection, responding with bemusement at his statement.

One X user summed up the sentiment of many commenters, writing: “Dude you literally shot the 40th president of the United States.”

A spectator was killed and two others were seriously injured in Saturday’s attack on ex-president Mr Trump where one of the bullets grazed his ear.

The gunman, who has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service at the scene.

Hinckley was freed in 2022 after 41 years spent under psychiatric care and court supervision, having been acquitted by reason of insanity at a trial in 1982.

Restrictions on his freedom had gradually been lifted in the lead-up to his release, including limits on social media use.

By the time he was unconditionally released, he had more than 28,000 followers on X, then Twitter, which has since grown to more than 62,000.

Read more:
Has shooting changed Trump’s outlook?
Fireworks detonator found with Trump gunman

Hinckley became a household name after wounding Mr Reagan and three others outside a Washington hotel.

He was suffering from acute psychosis and wanted to impress actress Jodie Foster, who he was obsessed with at the time of the shooting.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Reagan recovered after surgery for a punctured lung.

However his press secretary Jim Brady was left with permanent disabilities after the first of six bullets Hinckley fired hit his head, shattering the brain cavity.

Mr Reagan died in 2004 aged 93 after having Alzheimer’s disease for a decade.

Related posts:

Disasters uprooted more people than conflict in 2020 Five miles away from Kyiv, this town is being heavily bombed – and civilians are fleeing however they can Russia faces ‘severe consequences’ if Putin uses nuclear weapons Bindi Irwin was told endometriosis ‘simply something you deal with as a woman’ as she reveals 10-year struggle Murder probe under way after woman found dead in Ireland Police chief says rioters ‘are there to kill us’ in French town where mayor’s home attacked Kyiv hit by ‘biggest drone attack of war so far’ as five injured Shopping centre blaze kills at least 10 people Netanyahu’s Gaza plan appears to be attempt to delay inevitable removal from office Hiroshima watch with hands stuck at exact time of bombing sells for thousands Botswana likens trophy hunting to culling after threats to send 10,000 elephants to Hyde Park Mexico ‘closes’ statue of Greek god of sea because it offends indigenous groups