Sara Jane Moore, attempted Ford assassin, dies at 95

In a quiet nursing facility in Franklin, Sara Jane Moore, the woman who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95.

NB reported that Moore's death, coming just two days after the 50th anniversary of her failed assassination attempt, marks the end of a life intertwined with one of the most turbulent eras in American history.

Her attempt on Ford's life took place on Sept. 22, 1975, outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, a moment that shocked the nation.

Revisiting a Turbulent Historical Moment

This incident occurred just 17 days after another attempt on Ford’s life by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of the Manson family cult, in Sacramento.

Despite the proximity in timing, the two events were not connected, with each driven by distinct personal motivations.

Moore's actions were shaped by her immersion in radical politics, influenced by events like the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Understanding the Prelude to Violence

The day before her attempt, Moore was detained by police on a firearms charge, booked for possessing a .44 caliber handgun and 113 rounds of ammunition.

Authorities later emphasized that seizing this weapon was critical, as the .38 caliber handgun she used the following day had a flawed sight, potentially affecting her aim.

During the attempt, Moore fired a single shot at Ford but missed, and was swiftly subdued by Oliver Sipple, a former Marine who intervened.

Consequences and a Long Incarceration

Following her failed attempt, Moore was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her crime against the president.

In 1979, while serving her sentence, she made an attempt to escape but was apprehended after only a few hours on the run.

After decades behind bars, Moore was granted parole in 2007, marking the start of her life outside prison walls.

Insights into a Radical Mindset

In a 2009 interview on NBC's Today show, Moore reflected on the chaotic atmosphere of the 1970s that fueled her actions.

“It was a time that people don’t remember. You know we had a war … the Vietnam War, you became, I became immersed in it. We were saying the country needed to change,” she explained.

“The only way it was going to change was a violent revolution. I genuinely thought that [shooting Ford] might trigger that new revolution in this country,” she added.

A Quiet Life in Later Years

After her release, Moore eventually relocated to Bellevue in 2022, seeking a more peaceful existence away from her past notoriety.

Following a fall that impacted her health, she spent her final years in rehabilitation facilities located in Williamson County, adjusting to a slower pace.

Her personal history revealed a complex life, with five marriages and four children, painting a broader picture of the woman behind the headlines.

Final Reflections on a Violent Act

In 2024, while observing news coverage of an attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump’s life, Moore shared her perspective with the Banner on her own past actions.

“When you psych yourself up to do something like that … it’s sort of like being in a play,” she commented, drawing a parallel to performance.

“You know, you rehearse and rehearse and then when the time comes, you just do it,” she elaborated, offering a glimpse into her mindset at the time of her attempt.