Activist is charged after filming himself spray-painting 'Just stop killing kids' over victims' names at New York's 9/11 Memorial

Jonathan Tijerina, 31, filmed himself pulling a spray can from his bag and scrawling his gun control website address across panels bearing victims' names at the 9/11 Memorial's North Tower reflecting pool on Monday evening. Police arrested him after he posted the video to Instagram and publicly claimed responsibility, identifying himself by name. The stunt caused over $2,500 in damage before security staff restored the memorial.

The memorial called the site 'a sacred place of reflection' and said the impacted area was 'immediately restored to its commemorative state.'

Tijerina faces charges of criminal mischief and making graffiti, and boasted the arrest was a win, seeking attention from President Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

His website promoted 'nonviolent civil resistance' as the means to change gun laws — but critics called the targeting of a terror victims' memorial a vile desecration.