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D.J. Hernandez arrest: What to know about Aaron Hernandez's brother accused of planning school shootings

2023-07-25
5 min read
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Dennis "D.J." Hernandez, the older brother of former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly planning school shootings, according to arrest reports obtained by TMZ.com.

The documents, obtained from the Bristol (Conn.) Police Department, indicated Hernandez — a former wide receiver at UConn — is "gravely disabled and a danger to society." Police responded to multiple reports from people close to Hernandez who indicated he wrote alarming texts and social media posts that suggested imminent violence.

It is his fourth arrest since March, according to TMZ, though the allegations he faces now are more serious than his previous three. Here's everything you need to know about Hernandez's most recent arrest, and the events that preceded it:

MORE: Aaron Hernandez timeline from murders and trials to prison suicide

D.J. Hernandez arrest details

TMZ cited several Bristol Police Department documents in its report. They indicate several people approached police in early July with concern about Hernandez's behavior.

Part of those concerns include alarming text messages and social media posts. One text allegedly read, "We're taking lives if s— isn't paid up. It's been years in planning just taking notes, names and locations. They talked their way into this and it's almost point game."

Another social media post, dated July 19, reportedly read, "Will I kill? Absolutely, I've warned my enemies so pay up front."

One of the people who reportedly approached police is a woman purporting to be Hernandez's ex. She reportedly told police he was supposed to use her car to attend a July 7 court date but instead drove to Brown University and the University of Connecticut.

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Police documents allege he "went into a number of classrooms and buildings." TMZ reports another person told police they believed this was to plan school shootings.

Police on July 19 approached a residence where Hernandez was staying and attempted to get him to leave the building. Documents indicate he told them he was armed and that "he would kill us all" if they approached. He eventually walked toward police with arms outstretched, ignoring commands and yelling at them to shoot him.

Police tasered and arrested Hernandez before transporting him to a hospital for evaluation. There, police documents indicate he said he would kill "anyone who profited off of his brother Aaron," including, specifically, ESPN.

Aaron Hernandez, a three-year tight end for the Patriots and national champion at Florida, died in April 2017 in his prison cell after being convicted for the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. His death was ruled a suicide.

D.J. Hernandez arrest history

D.J. Hernandez's latest arrest comes after a string of similar incidents dating back to a March car chase with police. Per TMZ, he pleaded guilty to one count of failure to drive in a proper lane and one count of failure to use traffic control signals. He paid $100 in court fines and, in return, prosecutors dropped charges of reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit.

TMZ reports that on March 23 Hernandez threw a brick onto the grounds of ESPN's campus in Bristol, Conn. campus that had a handwritten note on it. Per TMZ:

"To all media outlets. It's about time you all realeyes (sic) the affect (sic) media has on all family members. Since you're a world wide leader maybe you could lead how media and messages are delivered brick by brick. Clean it up!"

The note was allegedly signed, "Yours truly, Dennis J. Hernandez."

Hernandez was arrested and charged with misdemeanor breach of peace, but was released on the promise he would attend a court date on July 7 — the same day he visited Brown and UConn. TMZ reports courts issued a re-arrest order four days later after he missed his assigned court date.