On September 5, 1975, a significant event unfolded in Sacramento, California, when Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford. Fromme, a member of Charles Manson's Manson Family cult, approached the President with a firearm, aiming to make a statement about environmental pollution. Despite her proximity to Ford and her intent, the weapon failed to fire, and no one was injured. This incident, occurring in the public grounds
of the California State Capitol building, became a notable moment in U.S. history, highlighting the vulnerabilities of public figures and the complex motivations behind such acts.
The Perpetrator and Her Motivations
Lynette Fromme, known as "Squeaky," was an early and devoted follower of Charles Manson, the notorious cult leader. She had a reputation for maintaining communication among Manson Family members after their imprisonment. Her involvement with the cult extended to living with another member, Sandra Good, in a Sacramento apartment. Fromme's motivations for the assassination attempt were deeply rooted in her environmental concerns, specifically her belief that President Ford's campaign contributed to environmental pollution, impacting what she referred to as ATWA (air, trees, water, animals).
Fromme developed a particular concern for California's giant coastal redwoods, believing them to be endangered by automobile smog. She felt a personal responsibility for their fate and even traveled to San Francisco to discuss the issue with a government official. Upon learning of President Ford's visit to Sacramento, Fromme decided to use the opportunity to draw attention to her environmental cause. She aimed to instill fear in the government by targeting its symbol, President Ford, stating her desire "to get life. Not just my life but clean air, healthy water, and respect for creatures and creation."
The Acquisition of the Weapon and the Plan
Fromme acquired the Colt M1911 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol used in the attempt from Harold E. Boro, a retired federal government engineering draftsman. Boro, who had a history of financially supporting Manson family members, met Fromme in a Sacramento park in early 1974. Fromme frequently visited Boro's apartment, and in return for her friendship, he provided her with a Cadillac and later a Volkswagen. In July 1975, Fromme asked Boro for a gun, claiming she needed it for protection in her apartment, which she shared with two roommates, from Manson's enemies.
Boro possessed the M1911 pistol and a half-box of ammunition. He demonstrated to Fromme how to operate the weapon, showing her how to pull back the hammer and fire it. He also had a pistol catalog, allowing Fromme to select a different pistol for him to purchase for her. Despite Boro's protests, Fromme took the M1911, ammunition, and magazine. Crucially, the pistol contained ammunition in its detachable magazine, but no round was chambered, a detail Fromme was reportedly unaware of at the time. She later claimed in 1980 that she had purposely ejected the top round from the magazine onto her apartment floor, stating she "was not determined to kill the guy."
The Attempt and Immediate Aftermath
On the morning of September 5, 1975, Fromme, dressed entirely in red, which she described as being "for the animals and earth colors," placed the Colt .45 pistol in a leg holster. She then made her way from her apartment to the California State Capitol grounds. President Ford had just returned from a speaking engagement and was shaking hands with a crowd gathered in Capitol Park. As Ford moved along a paved walkway, he noticed Fromme, who was positioned about two feet from him, behind the first row of people. He assumed she wanted to shake hands or speak with him.
Fromme reached into her robe, drew the pistol from her holster, and raised her right arm, pointing the gun at Ford at a height between his knees and waist. Several people heard a "metallic click" as she attempted to fire. The gun, lacking a chambered round, did not discharge. Fromme reportedly shouted, "It wouldn't go off." Secret Service agent Larry Buendorf immediately grabbed the gun, forced it from her hand, and brought her to the ground. On the ground, Fromme repeated, "it didn't go off. Can you believe it? It didn't go off." Secret Service agents quickly moved Ford away, though he reportedly told them to "Put me down! Put me down!" Ford continued his schedule, meeting with Governor Jerry Brown for 30 minutes without initially mentioning the attempt, stating he thought he "better get on with [his] day's schedule." For her crime, Fromme was sentenced to 34 years in prison, being released in 2009.
