A 31-year-old gun control activist faces criminal charges after allegedly spray-painting his organization’s website across engraved names at the National September 11 Memorial in Manhattan, an incident he reportedly filmed and shared online to promote stricter firearm laws.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
NEW YORK — A gun control activist was arrested Monday after allegedly defacing the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan with red spray paint, covering portions of the engraved names of terrorist attack victims while promoting a campaign for stricter firearm regulations.
Jonathan Andrew Tijerina, 31, was taken into custody Oct. 26 after security personnel discovered the vandalism along the bronze panels surrounding the memorial’s North Reflecting Pool, according to CBS News New York.
Tijerina faces charges of criminal mischief and making graffiti. Authorities said the incident resulted in approximately $2,500 in damage, although memorial officials confirmed that the paint was subsequently removed without permanent damage.
The suspect allegedly spray-painted the website address of his gun control organization across several panels bearing the names of people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
According to Breitbart News columnist John Nolte, Tijerina recorded the incident from beginning to end, capturing himself approaching the memorial, removing a spray-paint can from his bag and writing across the monument.
The video was subsequently posted to social media.
A witness, 16-year-old Ed Duffy, who was visiting from the United Kingdom, described seeing the incident unfold.
“I saw somebody with red spray paint, and they sprayed ‘just stop killing kids’ over some of the names,” Duffy told CBS News New York. “And then within, like, less than a minute, the police came and arrested him.”
Port Authority Police said memorial personnel notified officers at approximately 5 p.m. that an individual had been detained in connection with damage to panels on the north side of the reflecting pool.
Tijerina was transferred to Manhattan Central Booking for processing.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum condemned the incident and confirmed that the affected area had been restored.
“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 memorial spokesperson said.
“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 organization, Just Stop Killing Kids, advocates for universal background checks on firearm purchases and the establishment of a national gun registry.
The organization’s website describes its approach as civil resistance intended to pressure elected officials into adopting stronger gun regulations.
According to an Oct. 28 report by the Washington Examiner, the activist’s message was written directly over several victims’ names.
Following his arrest, the organization published a statement acknowledging the incident and explaining its political objectives.
The group said Tijerina wanted President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to support universal background checks and a national firearm registry.
The statement also indicated that Tijerina intended to accept responsibility for his actions and appear in court.
The organization has characterized its activism as nonviolent civil disobedience, although the alleged damage to the memorial resulted in criminal charges.
According to The Express, Tijerina has participated in previous demonstrations and political campaigns addressing gun violence and public policy.
The incident prompted criticism from individuals who questioned the decision to use a memorial honoring terrorism victims as the location for a political demonstration.
The reflecting pools occupy the footprints of the World Trade Center’s original Twin Towers and are surrounded by bronze panels engraved with the names of victims of both the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The memorial serves as a place of remembrance for victims’ families, survivors, first responders and visitors from around the world.
The vandalism occurred approximately six weeks after the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The gun control measures promoted by Tijerina remain subjects of national political debate. Supporters argue that expanded background checks and firearm registration could help prevent gun violence, while opponents raise concerns about constitutional protections and government oversight of gun ownership.
Those policy disagreements are separate from the criminal allegations concerning damage to the memorial.
Tijerina has not been convicted of the charges filed against him.
Authorities have not announced additional charges, and further court proceedings will determine the legal consequences of the incident.
Memorial officials said the vandalized panels have been cleaned and the site returned to its normal commemorative condition.
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