Attempted assassination of Bill Clinton

The attempted assassination of Bill Clinton occurred on October 29, 1994, when Francisco Martin Duran, a 26-year-old man from New Mexico residing in Colorado, opened fire on the White House in Washington, D.C., with the intention of assassinating then-U.S. president Bill Clinton.

Official portrait of Bill Clinton, 1993

Background

Francisco Martin Duran, a 26-year-old from New Mexico, had a history of legal issues. He had served in the U.S. Army but was court-martialed and found guilty of drunk driving, aggravated assault, drunken and disorderly conduct, and leaving the scene of an accident after he had gotten drunk with his friends and started an argument with civilians, after which he drove his car and ran into a woman he had sparred with. Duran held anti-government sentiments and was reportedly influenced by conspiracy theories and extremist ideologies.^[1] He was released after two and a half years in 1993.^[2]

Attempt

On October 29, 1994, Duran drove to Washington, D.C., and positioned himself on a public sidewalk across the street from the White House. At approximately 1:45 PM, he began firing 7.62×39mm rounds from a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle at the building, shooting a total of 29 rounds. Duran aimed at tourists – in particular one whose hair resembled Clinton's – at the North Lawn, which was the side facing Pennsylvania Avenue. At the time of the attack, Clinton was inside the White House watching a football game, and he was not in the immediate vicinity of the windows that were being targeted and as such was not harmed. Secret Service agents apprehended Duran after a brief standoff.^[3]

Aftermath

Duran was arrested charged with attempted murder, as well as multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Duran's defense team argued that he was not criminally responsible for his actions due to mental illness. The prosecution argued that Duran was fully aware of the nature of his actions and had deliberately attempted to kill Clinton. Previously, John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan, had been found not guilty by reason of insanity and spared a harsh punishment. Nonetheless, the jury found Duran guilty and he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.^[4][3]

See also

• Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
• 2011 White House shooting
• Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
• Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida