Man Arrested for Vandalizing 9/11 Memorial with Gun Control Message

Jonathan Andrew Tijerina, 31, was arrested on Monday evening and charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti for spray-painting the 9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pool. The vandalism, which occurred in broad daylight, involved the message "Juststopkillingkids.com" painted in red across the victim's names engraved on the memorial.

Tijerina claimed responsibility for the act, posting videos on Instagram that depicted him applying the spray paint. According to police, the damage incurred exceeded $2,500. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum confirmed that the graffiti was promptly removed and the memorial restored to its commemorative state.

"The 9/11 Memorial is a sacred place of reflection at the heart of a rebuilt World Trade Center that honors the 2,983 victims killed in the September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 terrorist attacks," a spokesperson told CBS News New York. "Yesterday’s brief incident was swiftly addressed by security staff and law enforcement, and the impacted area was immediately restored to its commemorative state."

Tijerina's website advocates for "nonviolent civil resistance" and states that his organization has two demands: universal background checks and a national gun registry. The organization's posts also indicated a desire to bring attention to figures such as President Trump and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Tijerina cited a recent mass shooting at the Florida A&M homecoming football game as a reason for his actions.

The website further asserts that both of its demands have majority public support and already exist in other high-income countries, without requiring the repeal of the Second Amendment. Tijerina had also reportedly undertaken a seven-day fast previously to demand the creation of 2 million affordable housing units in the city within five years, an action he stated did not receive attention.