Update: The plan is off for John Hinckley Jr. to return to the area on July 16, this time with a guitar rather than a gun, 41 years after he tried to assassinate then-President Ronald Reagan in an effort to impress actress (and then-Yale student) Jodie Foster.
Hinckley, who has launched a singer-songwriter career since his release from federal custody, was scheduled to perform at Hamden’s Space Ballroom.
Concert promoter Manic Presents announced online Wednesday evening that the show has now been canceled. The announcement follows an outpouring of only invective against the decision to host the performance. Not surprisingly, the announcement to cancel the show has subsequently sparked online criticism, as well. (Sample: “ONCE AGAIN THE WOKE MOB SUPPRESSES FREE EXPRESSION”)
Meanwhile, readers can hear a snippet of what would-be Space Ballroom concert-goers will miss, by scrolling to the bottom of this file (past an earlier version of this story) and checking out Hinckley performing one of his songs.
Reagan's Would-Be Assassin NOT Headed Back To Area To Play The Space
Note: This article is true. It is not republished from the Onion.
The last time John Hinckley Jr. was seen in these parts, he was stalking movie star Jodie Foster on the Yale campus, hoping to impress her by shooting President Ronald Reagan.
Forty-one years later — during which time Hinckley was in federal custody after he indeed shot the president (not fatally) — Hinckley is scheduled to return to the area, this time with a guitar and a bunch of songs.
Hinckley, released from federal custody, has embarked on a new career as a singer-songwriter. He is bringing his first tour to Hamden’s Space Ballroom on July 16. Tickets went on sale Monday.
Not surprisingly, the Space Ballroom Facebook post announcing the gig sparked hundreds of passionate comments, from jokes to outrage over allowing him to cash in on his infamy.
Hinckley begins his tour July 8 at New York City’s Market Hotel. The show has sold out.