Clarke County

Athens neighbors ‘horrified’ man who shot President Reagan was set to perform at local bar

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — The concert of a controversial musician originally set to take place in Georgia has been canceled.

John Hinckley Jr. — the man who shot former President Ronald Reagan — was booked to play music at a venue in Athens. But now the bar says he’s no longer welcome.

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“When you shoot a president and then you do a tour? No. I don’t agree with that at all,” said Athens resident Kathy Snyder.

Last week, just two months after he was granted full release from court restrictions, Hinckley seemed excited to announce on Twitter that one of the stops on his tour would take him to an Athens restaurant and bar called, “The World Famous.”

Hinckley even released a concert poster for the event.

But the booking of Hinckley to perform in Athens sparked controversy.

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“I’m horrified. Just horrified,” said Snyder. “I don’t know how else to put it. I mean, there’s no excuse for that.”

“I figure if your way to fame is shooting the president, you probably don’t have much in the way of musical talent,” said Athens resident Mike Parks.

After many people voiced their concerns on social media, Hinckley went back on Twitter himself and said, “Athens just canceled.”

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Channel 2 called The World Famous to try to learn more about why they booked Hinckley and why they canceled the performance. But a worker told us they wouldn’t comment.

Hinckley recently told ABC News he views his music as a way to repay his debt to society, but people in Athens told us that’s a payment he should make somewhere else.

Channel 2 also tried reaching out to Hinckley through email and his website. He has not responded.

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