Current:Home > reviewsAaron Hernandez's brother Dennis arrested for allegedly planning shootings at UConn, Brown -Secure Horizon Growth
Aaron Hernandez's brother Dennis arrested for allegedly planning shootings at UConn, Brown
View
Date:2025-04-11 20:47:51
Dennis John Hernandez, the brother of Aaron Hernandez, was arrested last week after he allegedly planned and threatened to conduct a pair of school shootings at the University of Connecticut and Brown University.
Hernandez, 37, has been charged with threatening and breach of peace and was held on a $250,000 bond, according to a Bristol (Connecticut) Police Department incident report.
The report states that two people came forward to police to express concern about Hernandez, saying he had been "displaying very erratic behavior lately" and that he was "extremely sick and that his mental health is continuing to deteriorate."
Per police, a woman who said she had been dating Hernandez at the time, loaned him her car so he could make a July 7 court date for a separate matter. The woman told police that Hernandez admitted he did not attend court but instead went to UConn and Brown and that Hernandez "went into a number of classrooms and buildings at UConn."
Police had previously spoken to another woman who said Hernandez had gone to "map the schools out." Hernandez was a two-time team captain for the Huskies football team, where he played quarterback and wide receiver from 2004-08. He also served as quarterbacks coach at Brown for one season, in 2011.
NEVER MISS A SNAP: Sign up for our NFL newsletter for exclusive content
According to the report, the first woman told police that Hernandez rambled about the incident and said "he has a bullet for everyone." Police said they also found numerous social media posts made by Hernandez in which he used threatening language and referenced money that others supposedly owed him.
"Will I kill? Absolutely," one such post read, per police. "I've warned my enemies so pay up front."
Per the report, Bristol Police determined Hernandez was "gravely disabled and a danger to society" so they dispatched a number of officers to his home July 19. While they surrounded the home, police spoke to Hernandez on the phone and he allegedly said he was armed "and that if we approached him, he would kill us all."
Hernandez then left the house and walked around the back, advancing toward police, with his hands outstretched to his side, according to the report. He yelled "shoot me" and disregarded several police commands, the report states, prompting police to use a Taser on him. Police took Hernandez into custody and he was evaluated at a hospital. While there, police said Hernandez continued to make threats, allegedly saying he "was planning to still kill (redacted) along with anyone who profited off of his brother Aaron." Police said Hernandez also mentioned ESPN, but no specific people.
Once released, Hernandez was booked at the Bristol Police Department.
When police informed the people who had come forward about Hernandez's arrest, one of them shared a screenshot from a previously unreported threatening text message Hernandez allegedly sent to a family member. In it, he states that the "UConn program is going to pay unless I have a package deal and I get my estate and every single thing I have worked for." He also warns the family member to "remaining away from there because when I go I'm taking down everything And don't give a (expletive) who gets caught in the cross fire ... I'm prepared to give my life So if I don't get to see you on the outside know I love you always Not all shootings are bad I'm realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen."
Dennis John Hernandez − who has been known as D.J. and Jonathan − is the older brother of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who on April 15, 2015, was convicted of murdering semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd in 2013. Aaron Hernandez died by suicide on April 19, 2017, days after he was acquitted of a 2012 double homicide. He was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
In March, Dennis John Hernandez was arrested for disorderly conduct and charged with second degree breach of peace after he allegedly threw a bag containing a brick and hand-written note on the ESPN's property after previously being turned away at the security gate.
veryGood! (58515)
Related
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Olympics bet against climate change with swimming in Seine and may lose. Scientists say told you so
- Matt Damon Details Surreal Experience of Daughter Isabella Heading off to College
- Quick! Banana Republic Factory’s Extra 40% Sale Won’t Last Long, Score Chic Classics Starting at $11
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Florida school board suspends employee who allowed her transgender daughter to play girls volleyball
- About 8 in 10 Democrats are satisfied with Harris in stark shift after Biden drops out: AP-NORC poll
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are higher as Bank of Japan raises benchmark rate
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Inmate advocates describe suffocating heat in Texas prisons as they plea for air conditioning
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Why Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Doesn't Need His Glasses for Head-Spinning Pommel Horse Routine
- Duck Dynasty's Missy and Jase Robertson Ask for Prayers for Daughter Mia During 16th Surgery
- Texas radio host’s friend sentenced to life for her role in bilking listeners of millions
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Texas’ floating Rio Grande barrier can stay for now, court rules as larger legal battle persists
- Interest rate cut coming soon, but Fed likely won't tell you exactly when this week
- Lawsuit against North Carolina officer who shot and killed teen can continue, court says
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Body of missing 6-year-old nonverbal, autistic boy surfaces in Maryland pond
Kentucky judge dismisses lawsuit challenging a new law to restrict the sale of vaping products
Jodie Sweetin defends Olympics amid Last Supper controversy, Candace Cameron critiques
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Tesla in Seattle-area crash that killed motorcyclist was using self-driving system, authorities say
Republican challenge to New York’s mail voting expansion reaches state’s highest court
French police investigating abuse targeting Olympic opening ceremony DJ over ‘Last Supper’ tableau