Dennis Hernandez Pleads Guilty to Threatening UConn Shooting and Out-of-State Killings

The brother of late NFL player Aaron Hernandez admitted to making violent threats in 2023 and faces up to five years in federal prison.

Dennis Hernandez, 38, pleaded guilty in federal court to transmitting interstate threats of violence, including a planned shooting at the University of Connecticut and threats to kill three individuals out of state.
Hernandez's threats, made via Facebook Messenger and text messages in July 2023, included statements about taking lives and causing harm to provoke societal change.
Court documents revealed that Hernandez's vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus while he was reportedly mapping out potential targets, including Brown University, where he previously coached football.
Prosecutors noted that Hernandez's mental health struggles, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, were acknowledged by his family around the time of his arrest in July 2023.
Hernandez has been in custody since his arrest and will be sentenced on February 6, 2025, with a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.