Six Shots at a Nation's Heart

April 13, 1981 TIME Cover: Moment of Madness
What Happened and Why Can It Never Be Stopped?

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a nearby office building. Dodson noticed the young man wearing a tan raincoat. "He looked fidgety, agitated, a little strange," Dodson recalled later.

A group of TV and still photographers also awaited Reagan's exit in what they call "the bodywatch" —the need to record any presidential calamity, or what Reagan has termed "the awful-awful." Other reporters were there, some with microphones and tape recorders, to ask the President for his reaction to the latest showdown between the government and Lech Walesa's independent labor movement in Poland. As always, curious onlookers pressed in for a glimpse of the President. They included some union members who had either arrived late for the lunch or left it early to get a closer view of Reagan. There were women with Kodaks, children, and even a mayor, Charles Wright of Davenport, Iowa.

The unmarked entrance, consisting of steel double doors under a concrete canopy, was designed precisely to provide security for Presidents and other celebrities who attend affairs at the Hilton. The doors open onto a 13-ft.-wide sidewalk that runs along a curving driveway at the base of a 15-ft.-high stone retaining wall. On this day the Secret Service had roped off an area along this curving wall about 25 ft. from the doors. The press and other onlookers jostled for position behind the rope.

Standing close to the wall, he complained about the press, which had been griping about onlookers getting in the way. ABC Cameraman Henry Brown had protested that the press area had been "penetrated" by people who were "interfering with our work." Replied a man whom Brown assumed was a Secret Service agent: "We'll try to do something." A.P. Radio Reporter Walter Rodgers pushed his way along the wall, extending his fishpole mike, when he heard the young man complain about the reporters: "They ought to get here on time. They think they can do anything they want. Don't let them do that. "

Reagan left the ballroom stage and walked down a 100-yard carpeted corridor that leads to the VIP exit. When he stepped out onto the sidewalk, the drizzle had stopped. The President flashed one of his usual jovial smiles as he headed toward his car, parked 15 ft. from the exit and 10 ft. from the press rope. Agent Unrue was in the driver's seat; the engine was running. Reagan raised his right hand high, waving to people standing across the driveway.

Aide Deaver was at his left, between the President and the press group. Brady walked a few steps behind Deaver and closer to the wall. Agent Timothy McCarthy waited at the limousine, standing behind the open rear door. Washington Patrolman Thomas Delahanty, drawn away from his normal duties with the police canine squad to help guard the President, stood near the press rope. Reagan, now just a few feet away from his car, turned to his left and waved toward the reporters.

r. President, Mr. President," came a familiar shout from behind the rope. A.P. Reporter Michael Putzel was trying to ask Reagan a question. Brady stepped ahead of Deaver to help field any press queries. Still smiling, Reagan looked past McCarthy, Deaver, Brady and Dejahanty and at the milling group behind the rope.