Gun Control Activist Arrested for Spray-Painting 9/11 Memorial

A 31-year-old gun control activist has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief after spray-painting the name of his gun control website onto the North Tower reflecting pool at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan.

Jonathan Andrew Tijerina was taken into custody on Monday after he filmed himself applying red spray paint over the victim's names inscribed on the memorial. The words "Juststopkillingkids.com" were visible on the reflecting pool in footage he shared on Instagram. The NYPD reported that the graffiti caused over $2,500 in damages.

In a statement posted online following his arrest, Tijerina identified himself and demanded that President Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani enact gun control measures, specifically mentioning universal background checks and a national gun registry. He cited a recent mass shooting at a Florida A&M homecoming football game, which left 11 people injured, as a catalyst for his actions.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum confirmed that security staff and law enforcement responded swiftly to the incident. A spokesperson stated that the affected area was immediately restored to its commemorative state and that the memorial remains a sacred place of reflection honoring the victims of the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks.

Tijerina's website advocates for "nonviolent civil resistance," describing himself as an "experienced civil-resistance organizer" with a history of arrests for civil disobedience in multiple states. He stated that his actions were intended to compel government action and that he takes responsibility for his actions and will face trial.

Prior to the vandalism, Tijerina had also expressed frustration over a lack of media attention for a seven-day food fast he undertook to demand New York City build two million housing units within five years. He noted that the city and media had not responded to his housing initiative.