Dennis John Hernandez, also known as “DJ Hernandez,” 37, the older brother of a late NFL football star Aaron Hernandez, was arrested in Bristol last week after police were concerned about him planning school shootings. On July 18 Bristol Police used a stun gun on him in the course of his arrest.
According to the Dept of Justice, he was charged on Friday by federal criminal complaint with interstate threatening and stalking offenses.
As alleged in the complaint, on July 6 and 7, 2023, Hernandez communicated with an individual via Facebook Messenger and made multiple statements threatening to carry out a shooting incident at UConn.
The statements included “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything And don’t give a f— who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people turn. 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.”
It is alleged that Hernandez’s vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus on July 7.
The complaint also alleges that, on July 18 and 19, 2023, Hernandez made multiple Facebook posts threatening to harm or kill three individuals who reside out of state. In addition, on July 19, in a conversation via text message with one of the victims, Hernandez stated “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. I know we don’t play in my family. If we have to take lives or buildings we will. So just letting you know so you can be prepared for a media circus one way or another.”
The complaint charges Hernandez with transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure, and with interstate stalking. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Hernandez has been detained in state custody on related charges since July 19. He appeared Friday afternoon Hartford federal court.
United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Vanessa Avery, stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bristol Police Department.
Like his brother Aaron, DJ Hernandez was a star football player, captaining the team at UConn and coaching at Brown University.
Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots NFL football player, was convicted in 2015 for the murder of Odin Lloyd and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was found dead in his prison cell in 2017.