Dennis “D.J.” Hernandez, the older brother of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, has been taken into custody after being accused of planning two school shootings. The arrest came after several individuals alerted the police about Hernandez’s erratic behavior and concerning statements. According to arrest documents obtained by local news outlets, Hernandez allegedly intended to carry out the shootings at the University of Connecticut and Brown University. The documents also revealed disturbing text messages and social media posts that raised alarm bells.
The arrest documents, made public by WFSB, detailed the claims made by witnesses. One person reported receiving a series of troubling text messages from Hernandez, including one that mentioned taking lives if certain demands were not met. Another individual, who identified herself as Hernandez’s ex-girlfriend, expressed concerns about his mental health and revealed that he had visited both campuses to “map the schools out.” She further disclosed that Hernandez had made alarming statements about having a bullet for everyone.
On July 18th, police went to Hernandez’s residence, resulting in a standoff. After refusing to open the door, Hernandez spoke to an officer over the phone, threatening to kill anyone who approached him. Eventually, he emerged from his home, advancing towards the police while yelling “shoot me” and disregarding their commands. To subdue him, officers deployed a taser and took him into custody. Following the arrest, Hernandez continued to make threats while being evaluated at a local hospital.
After his release from the hospital, Hernandez was booked on charges of threatening and breach of peace at the Bristol Police Department. He is currently being held on a $250,000 bond. This is not the first time Hernandez has faced legal trouble. In May, he was arrested for leading police on a pursuit and subsequently arrested again for throwing a bag with a brick and a note at ESPN’s campus in Bristol, Connecticut. His failure to appear in court for the ESPN incident led to a third arrest.
Dennis Hernandez’s brother, Aaron Hernandez, was a former NFL player who gained notoriety after being found guilty of first-degree murder in 2015. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Aaron was later indicted for a double homicide in 2012 but was acquitted in 2017. He died by suicide in his prison cell shortly after his acquittal.