A 31-year-old man was arrested this week after allegedly spray-painting the name of his anti-gun website on the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, authorities confirmed.
On Monday, Jonathan Andrew Tijerina was taken into custody on charges of criminal mischief and making graffiti, according to the Port Authority Police. The incident occurred at the memorial’s reflecting pool, where victims’ names are engraved. Tijerina reportedly used red spray paint to write the URL of his website, juststopkillingkids.com, directly over the names. A spokesperson for the memorial stated the paint was removed at a cost of $2,500, and the affected area was restored.
Tijerina faces charges related to the damage, though the full extent of the investigation remains under review. The New York Police Department has not yet released additional details about his motives or background.
Incident Details and Response
The vandalism was captured on video by Tijerina himself, who posted the footage online. In the recording, he is seen approaching the memorial, removing a spray can from his bag, and applying the message across several panels. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum described the site as a sacred place of reflection honoring the 2,983 victims of the September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, attacks.
A spokesperson for the memorial stated that security staff and law enforcement responded swiftly, restoring the area to its original state. The incident drew immediate attention from officials and the public, with some politicians and candidates—primarily Republicans—publicly condemning the act as a desecration of a hallowed site.
Broader Context: Protests and Disruptions in NYC
Separately, on Wednesday, a group of protesters blocked the Brooklyn Bridge for approximately one hour, causing significant traffic delays. The demonstration, which included calls to free an individual arrested by ICE, was met with frustration from commuters. Police arrested 14 people in connection with the blockade, though no injuries were reported.
The protests and the memorial vandalism occurred amid ongoing debates over gun control and immigration policy in New York City. While the two events are not directly linked, they have contributed to heightened discussions about public demonstrations and the boundaries of free speech in sensitive locations.
Authorities have not indicated whether the two incidents are connected, and investigations remain ongoing.