James Brady, a 73-year-old male, passed away in a retirement community in Alexandria, Virginia, but the origins of his death trace back over three decades to an event in Washington, D.C. His death was officially ruled a homicide by the Virginia medical examiner, a consequence of the grievous injuries he sustained decades earlier. The cause was determined to be the gunshot wound he suffered and its long-term consequences, prompting the D.C.
Metropolitan Police to open a homicide investigation.
The story of his death begins on March 30, 1981, outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. On that day, John Hinckley Jr. opened fire in an attempt to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. In the ensuing chaos, Brady, who was then the White House press secretary, was struck in the head by a bullet from Hinckley's. 22-caliber revolver. The wound was severe, shattering into numerous fragments and causing significant brain damage. He survived hours of delicate surgery that day and endured many more operations throughout his life.
The shooting left Brady with debilitating, lifelong health issues. He suffered from partial paralysis, which often confined him to a wheelchair. His injuries also resulted in slurred speech, short-term memory impairment, and constant pain. Despite these challenges, he and his wife became prominent advocates for gun control, lending their name to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which mandates federal background checks for firearm purchases.
Following the medical examiner's ruling on Brady's death, legal questions arose regarding the status of his shooter, John Hinckley Jr. Hinckley had been found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 1981 shooting and was committed to a psychiatric hospital. At the time of Brady's death, prosecutors announced they were reviewing the homicide ruling to determine if new charges could be filed. However, legal experts noted the significant hurdles, including double jeopardy, to prosecuting Hinckley for murder so many years after the initial crime for which he had already been adjudicated. No immediate arrest was made in connection with the newly classified homicide.
