Full Breakdown
Gun-Control Activist Vandalizes 9/11 Memorial, Demands Policy Changes
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Vandalism at the 9/11 Memorial
On October 26, 2026, Jonathan Andrew Tijerina, 31, sprayed red paint across the North Tower reflecting pool of the 9/11 Memorial, writing the URL “juststopkillingkids.com” over the engraved names of victims. Police said Tijerina recorded the act on video and posted it to Instagram, then turned himself in. The 9/11 Memorial and Museums spokesperson confirmed that security staff and law-enforcement removed the paint, restoring the site to its prior condition. The vandalism was estimated to have caused more than $2,500 in damages.
02
Tijerza’s Stated Motivations and Demands
Tijerina’s organization framed the stunt as a “civil resistance” effort aimed at drawing attention to gun-control reforms. In a follow-up post, the group said the act was prompted by the mass shooting after the Florida A&M homecoming football game. The organization listed two specific demands: universal background checks and a national gun registry, describing them as “highly popular” and already in place in other high-income democracies. Tijerina also referenced a recent seven-day fast he conducted to press for 2 million affordable-housing units in New York City within five years, noting that the fast had received little media coverage.
03
Official and Law-Enforcement Response
The 9/11 Memorial spokesperson emphasized the site’s status as a “sacred place of reflection” honoring the 2,983 victims of the September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 terrorist attacks, and described the incident as a brief breach that was swiftly addressed. Police arrested Tijerina on charges of criminal mischief and graffiti. No additional arrests or security measures were reported.
04
Legal Outcome
Tijerina was charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti. The filing indicated that restitution for the estimated $2,500 in damages would be sought, though sentencing details were not disclosed at the time of reporting.
05
Broader Context
The incident illustrates the intersection of activist tactics and high-profile public spaces. Tijerina’s appeal to President Trump and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani underscores a strategy of leveraging media attention to pressure elected officials on gun-policy issues. The memorial’s rapid restoration reflects established protocols for protecting nationally significant sites from vandalism.