The man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan has been released from a Washington mental hospital for good, more than 35 years after the shooting.

A spokeswoman for the District of Columbia's Department of Mental Health said early Saturday that all patients scheduled to leave St. Elizabeths Hospital had been discharged. Hinckley was among those scheduled for discharge.

An Associated Press reporter saw a hired car pull into the driveway of the Hinckley home at around 2.30pm. Officers from the Kingsmill Police Department chased reporters away.

A federal judge ruled in late July that the 61-year-old Hinckley is not a danger to himself or the public and can live full-time at his mother's home in Williamsburg.

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A judge has ruled that John Hinckley Jr is not a danger to himself or the public and can live full-time at his mother's home in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is seen above in April 2014

John Hinckley Jr., left, gets into his mother's car in front of a recreation center in Williamsburg in this March 19, 2015, photo. He has completed a number of visits to Williamsburg in preparation for the full-time transition

Hinckley will be moving in with his 90-year-old mother, who lives at this home in Williamsburg, Virginia

Hinckley had already been visiting Williamsburg for long stretches at a time and preparing for the full-time transition.

He'll have to follow a lot of rules while in Williamsburg, but his longtime lawyer Barry Levine says he thinks Hinckley will be a 'citizen about whom we can all be proud'.

His release has been heavily criticized by Reagan's daughter. In a lengthy statement on her website in July following the announcement that he would be freed, Patti Davis said that she will 'forever be haunted' by the day her father almost died in 1981.

Davis says she believes in forgiveness. But she says forgiving someone doesn't mean letting them 'loose in Virginia to pursue whatever dark agendas they may still hold dear'.

Davis also said she's not surprised by the decision, but that her 'heart is sickened'.

And Timothy McCarthy, now the police chief of the Chicago suburb of Orland Park, who was a secret serviceman who took a bullet during the assassination attempt, said he was perturbed he didn't get a notification of the judge's decision to allow the 61-year-old Hinckley to go free.

McCarthy noted that he's never been asked for an opinion on whether Hinckley should be released.

WHAT WILL LIFE LOOK LIKE IN WILLIAMSBURG FOR HINCKLEY? WORK Hinckley will have to work or volunteer at least three days a week. He hasn't yet done paid work in Williamsburg, but he has volunteered at a church and a mental health hospital, where he has worked in the library and in food service. HOME SWEET HOME Hinckley will start off living with his elderly mother in her home in the gated community of Kingsmill. The unassuming home is on the 13th hole of a golf course. Hinckley's room has a king-size bed and TV and is decorated with paintings he has done of houses and cats, according to court documents. In the past, he has done chores like cleaning, dishwashing, laundry and leaf-raking. After a year, he may live alone or with roommates. THERAPY Hinckley will continue to go to therapy while in Williamsburg. For at least the first six months he'll see his psychiatrist twice a month and he'll have to attend weekly group therapy sessions. He'll also see a therapist individually. He'll return to Washington once a month to St. Elizabeths' outpatient department to discuss his mental health and compliance with the conditions of his leave. ROAD TRIPPING Hinckley got a driver's license in 2011. The court order in his case lets him drive within 30 miles of Williamsburg by himself, which gets him to Newport News but not Norfolk. He can go up to 50 miles from the city if accompanied by his mom, sibling or a therapist or social worker. He can also drive to and from Washington once a month for his outpatient meetings. Doctors say Hinckley (pictured) no longer suffers from the disease which caused him to carry out the attack LEISURE Hinckley has long considered himself a musician and an artist. He paints and plays the guitar and has been involved in both as part of his therapy. He'll continue to see a music therapist once a month while in Williamsburg. At court hearings in the case in late 2011 and early 2012, lawyers discussed the fact that Hinckley had recently developed an interest in photography. There are limits to how Hinckley can spend his leisure time. He also can't drink or use illegal drugs. He can surf the web but, at least initially, he's not allowed to search for information about his crimes or victims, among other things. He can't have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn without permission. VOTING Once Hinckley lives in Virginia he can register to vote there. Hinckley has expressed an interest in voting in the past and tried unsuccessfully to get a ballot in the 1980s and 1990s. Hinckley's longtime lawyer Barry Levine told a newspaper in early August that he suspects his client will register to vote. Virginia's deadline to register for the November presidential election is October 17. Advertisement

Reagan himself died in 2004 at the age of 93, followed by his wife Nancy this past spring. The March 30, 1981, assassination attempt is seen above

Reagan, center, is shown being shoved into the President's limousine by secret service agents after being shot outside a Washington hotel by Hinckley

During the March 30, 1981, assassination attempt, the then 32-year-old McCarthy was shot in the right chest.

He says he spent a little more than three months recuperating before returning to the president's security detail.

McCarthy spent 22 years with the Secret Service.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute issued a statement following the announcement that Hinckley would be released, in part, 'Contrary to the judge's decision, we believe John Hinckley is still a threat to others and we strongly oppose his release.'

Hinckley's release from Washington's St. Elizabeths hospital has been more than a decade in the making.

In late 2003, the judge allowed Hinckley to begin leaving the hospital for day visits with his parents in the Washington area.

In 2006, Hinckley began visiting his parents' home in Williamsburg, Virginia, for three-night stretches.

That time has increased over the years so that for more than the last year he has been allowed to spend 17 days a month at the home, which is in a gated community and overlooks a golf course.

Reagan is seen waving, exiting Hilton, with secret servicemen, moments before Hinckley began shooting in assassination attempt

Secret Service agents and police officers swarm Hinckley, obscured from view, after he attempted an assassination on President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton hotel

Reagan himself died in 2004 at the age of 93, followed by his wife Nancy this past spring.

While outside the hospital, Hinckley has had to comply with a series of restrictions, and a number of those will continue now that he will be living full time in the community.

He will have to attend individual and group therapy sessions and is barred from talking to the media.

He can drive, but there are restrictions on how far he can travel. The Secret Service also periodically follows him.

Judge Paul L. Friedman announced the decision in July and in his 103-page ruling wrote that 'all of the experts and treatment providers' who testified during Hinckley's hears said his issues - including depression and psychotic disorder - are 'in full and sustained remission and have been for more than twenty years'.

'Mr Hinckley is clinically ready for full-time convalescent leave,' Friedman wrote.

Doctors have said for many years that the now 61-year-old Hinckley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting, is no longer plagued by the mental illness that drove him to shoot Reagan in an effort to impress actress Jodie Foster (who has refused to comment through a representative), who he had been stalking.

In a letter sent to Foster before the shooting, Hinckley said: 'The reason I'm going ahead with this attempt now is because I cannot wait any longer to impress you. This letter is being written only an hour before I leave for the Hilton Hotel.

Jodie, I'm asking you to please look into your heart and at least give the chance, with this historical deed, to gain your love and respect.'

Hinckley was 25 years old when he shot at President Reagan six times as he left the Washington, DC Hilton after speaking at a conference.

In this November 18, 2003 file photo, John Hinckley Jr. arrives at U.S. District Court in Washington

TIMELINE OF REAGAN SHOOTING AND HINCKLEY'S INSTITUTIONALIZATION May 29, 1955: John Hinckley Jr. is born in Ardmore, Oklahoma to John W. Hinckley Sr, an oil exploration business owner, and JoAnn Hinckley 1974-1980: Hinckley attends Texas Tech University off and on. 1975: Moves to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a songwriter, September 1976: Returns to his parent's home in Colorado after failing to make a living in LA February 8, 1976: The film Taxi Driver comes out and Hinckley becomes obsessed with Jodi Foster's character in the film October 9, 1980: Arrested at Nashville International Airport for possessing three firearms. President Jimmy Carter is in town that same day. March 30, 1981: Hinckley attempts to shoot President Reagan as he exits the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC March 31, 1981: Feds charge Hinckley with attempting to assassinate the president and assaulting a Secret Service officer May 27, 1981: Hinckley attempts suicide by taking an overdose of Tylenol August 28, 1981: At his arraignment, Hinckley pleads not guilty by reason of insanity to 13 counts related to the shooting November 15, 1981: Attempts suicide a second time by trying to hang himself with an article of clothing May 4, 1982: Trial begins June 21, 1982: Jury finds Hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity. He is committed to St Elizabeths Hospital in Washington February 13, 1983: Hinckley attempts suicide for a third time, this time with an overdose of antidepressant medication 1985: Hinckley's parents establish non-profit for mental health research called the American Mental Health Fund 1985: Hinckley's doctors report that his condition is in a 'full remission' Around 1987: Hinckley applies for a court order that would allow him to visit home from time to time. As part of the request, a judge ordered Hinkcley's room searched and hospital officials found photographs and letters that showed a continued obsession with Jodie Foster. There was also evidence he exchanged letters with serial killer Ted Bundy and tried to get the address for Charles Manson. January 15, 1999: U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rules that Hinckley can make supervised trips out of the hospital August 12, 1999: Hinckley make a brief, supervised visit outside of the hospital April 11, 2000: Hospital representatives recommend allowing Hinckley unsupervised visits with his family June 29, 2000: Hospital withdraws it's recommendation after a hearing in which prosecutors provided evidence of Hinckley's continued interest in violent books and music December 17, 2003: Judge rules Hinckley can have limited, unsupervised daytime visits with his parents December 30, 2005: U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman rules that Hinckley will be allowed three unaccompanied visits of three nights each to his parents' home June 2007: Judge rules that Hinckley can make six-night visits to his parents home February 2008: Hinckley's father dies, and he is allowed to attend the funeral June 2009: Hinckley's visit homes are extended to 10 days, 12 times a year. He is also authorized to get a driver's license May 2011: Judge approves Hinckley's request for more unsupervised visits at his mother's home July 29, 2011: Hospital requests Hinckley be allowed two 17-day visits home, followed by six stays lasting 24 days. After the stays, the hospital asks for the authority to decide whether Hinckely could be released on 'concalescent leave' making him a permanent outpatient September 30, 2011: Government files a motion in opposition of the request November 30, 2011: Hearing begins on whether to eventually free Hinckley from the hospital February 9, 2012: Hearing ends August 17, 2012: Prosecutors file a motion asking for the judge to reject proposal for more visits February 25-28, 2013: Hearing at St Elizabeth's over Hinckley's expanded visits. Hospital proposes Hinckley attend social group session with a psychotherapist and see a specialist in lieu of group session that were withdrawn from another mental health facility December 20, 2013: Judge agrees to expanded release from the hospital, giving Hinckley 17-day periods of off-campus visits August 4, 2014: Former Reagan Press Secretary James Brady dies at the age of 73, from complications due to his injuries in the shooting August 8, 2014: Virginia medical examiner rules Brady's death a homicide January 2, 2015: U.S. Attorney for DC releases a statement saying the office will not pursue murder charges aginst Hinckley, in connection to Brady's death April 22, 2015: Hinckley makes request for an unconditional release from the mental hospital July 27, 2015: The request is approved Advertisement

The first bullet hit Reagan's press secretary James Brady in the head and the second hit District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty in the back of the neck. Hinckley missed his third shot, but his fourth hit McCarthy in the stomach as another agent was pushing the president into a waiting limousine.

The fifth shot was another miss but Reagan was struck by the sixth and final shot as it reverberated off the side of his armored vehicle.

Reagan spent 12 days in the hospital recuperating from his injuries and blood loss. Delahanty and McCarthy also recovered from their injuries but Brady was left wheelchair bound for the rest of his life due to paralysis.

When he died in 2014, from complications do to his injuries, Brady's death was categorized a homicide but federal prosecutors declined to bring up a new case against Hinckley.