Current:Home > NewsAaron Hernandez's brother Dennis arrested for allegedly planning shootings at UConn, Brown -OceanicInvest
Aaron Hernandez's brother Dennis arrested for allegedly planning shootings at UConn, Brown
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:11:27
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! (7516)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Vikings suspend offensive coordinator Wes Phillips 3 weeks after careless driving plea deal
- Tens of thousands of Israelis stage largest protest since war began as pressure on Netanyahu mounts
- Seasonal allergies are here for spring 2024. What to know about symptoms and pollen count
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Face First
- Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's Kids Harlow and Sparrow Make Red Carpet Debut
- From chips to pizza and beer, brands look to cash in on rare solar eclipse
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Thanks Fans for Outpouring of Support After Ex Konstantin Koltsov's Death
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Taylor Swift gets her own SiriusXM station, Channel 13 (Taylor's Version)
- Tesla delivery numbers are down and stock prices are falling as a result
- Big Time Rush's Kendall Schmidt and Wife Mica von Turkovich Welcome Their First Baby
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- From Krispy Kreme to SunChips, more and more companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions
- Alabama Sen. Katie Britt cites friendship with Democrats in calling for more respectful discourse
- Stop asking me for tips. 'Tipflation' is out of control.
Recommendation
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
You could be sitting on thousands of dollars: A list of the most valuable pennies
LeBron James' second children's book, I Am More Than, publishes Tuesday
Nicki Minaj delivers spectacle backed up by skill on biggest tour of her career: Review
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Iran vows deadly suspected Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus will not go unanswered
You could be sitting on thousands of dollars: A list of the most valuable pennies
Trump sues two Trump Media co-founders, seeking to void their stock in the company