Full Breakdown
Sara Jane Moore, Would-Be Assassin of President Gerald Ford, Dies at 95
9/28/2025, 11:23:06 AM
Overview of the Assassination Attempt
Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford on September 22, 1975, has died at the age of 95 in a nursing home in Franklin, Tennessee. Her death occurred just two days after the 50th anniversary of her assassination attempt. On that day, Moore fired two shots at Ford outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, missing the president but injuring a bystander when the second shot ricocheted. The attempt was thwarted by Oliver Sipple, a former Marine, who intervened and prevented further harm.
Background and Context
Moore's assassination attempt came just 17 days after another failed attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson family, who aimed a gun at Ford in Sacramento. Both incidents prompted significant changes in the Secret Service's protective measures for the president. Moore, who had a history of mental illness and was involved in leftist politics, later revealed that she had been an FBI informant prior to her assassination attempt.
Key Figures
- Sara Jane Moore: Born on February 15, 1930, in Charleston, West Virginia, Moore was a former psychiatric patient and had a tumultuous personal life, including multiple marriages and estrangement from her children. After her assassination attempt, she was sentenced to life in prison, serving 32 years before being paroled in 2007.
- Gerald Ford: The 38th President of the United States, Ford was targeted during a time of political unrest in the country.
- Oliver Sipple: A bystander who intervened during the assassination attempt, Sipple's actions were crucial in preventing injury to Ford.
Official Statements & Responses
Demetria Kalodimos, a reporter and friend of Moore, confirmed her death, stating that Moore had been bedridden for 15 months following a fall. In past interviews, Moore expressed conflicting feelings about her actions, at times reflecting remorse while also maintaining that she had always been a good citizen. She described her motivations as stemming from a belief in the necessity of violent revolution during a politically charged era.
Criticism & Opposition
Moore's actions have been widely condemned, and her claims of being a "good citizen" have drawn skepticism. Critics argue that her attempt to justify her actions as a response to political turmoil fails to account for the gravity of her crime and its impact on innocent bystanders.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If I had had my .44, I would have caught him,” — Sara Jane Moore
- “I was functioning I think purely on adrenaline and not thinking clearly,” — Sara Jane Moore
- “It was a time people don’t remember… The only way it was going to change was a violent revolution,” — Sara Jane Moore
What's Next
No cause of death has been publicly announced, and Moore's family has not commented on her passing. Her life story remains a complex narrative of radicalization, crime, and the consequences of political violence in America.
