Reagan aide Jim Brady's death ruled homicide

WASHINGTON - A spokeswoman says a Virginia medical examiner has notified police that this week's death of former White House press secretary James Brady has been ruled a homicide.

Brady was shot in the head during the 1981 assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. of President Ronald Reagan. Brady lived through hours of surgery and further operations over the years, but he never regained normal use of his limbs.

His family said he died Monday from a series of health issues.

District of Columbia police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump says the department was notified of the homicide ruling Friday. It was made by a medical examiner in northern Virginia, where Brady died.

Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity of all charges against him.

Brady undertook a personal crusade for gun control after suffering the devastating bullet wound.