Who is Jeffrey Hernandez? New York man arrested after he jumps into 'central void' of 9/11 Memorial pool
Matthew Sanders
Updated on March 27, 2026
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jeffrey Hernandez, 33, was arrested by the New York City Police Department after he jumped into the 20 ft (6 m) "central void" of the 9/11 Memorial reflecting pool. He initially hurled himself 30 ft (9 m) down into the basin.
Soon after the incident, which was captured on video, he was rescued and hospitalized with a leg injury by the New York City Fire Department. Then, authorities charged Hernandez with trespass and criminal mischief, as per the Daily Mail.
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Video of Jeffrey Hernandez's diving into the 9/11 Memorial pool goes viral
In a widely circulated video clip, Jeffrey Hernandez can be seen walking to the edge of the abyss and then lying down in the water, peering into the void.
He already had a gash on his head from tumbling into the basin, which resulted in him bleeding in the water. Hernandez was then seen sliding into the abyss headfirst, as onlookers let out a collective scream.
The New Yorker was assessed by medics at the Bellevue Hospital before being charged.
Police sealed off the area after the incident, but it was reopened after a short while.
NYPD official confirms Jeffrey Hernandez's arrest
"On Monday, October 9, 2023, at approximately 1330 hours police officers responded to the North Pool at the World Trade Center within the confines of the 1 Precinct. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a 33-year-old male jumped into the North pool," read the police statement on Jeffrey Hernandez.
It continued, "The male was taken into custody at the scene. EMS responded and transported the male to NYC Health & Hospitals/Bellevue in stable condition with a left leg injury. The investigation remains ongoing."
Hernandez apparently told one rescuing official from the New York City Fire Department that he "did this for his father."
Law enforcement officials have previously raised concerns over the potential issue of someone throwing themselves into the 9/11 Memorial reflecting pool, but it is unknown if that has indeed been attempted in the past.
Glenn P Corbett, an associate professor of fire science at John Jay College, stated, "Our big worry several years ago, in the original design, was terrorism, and now we add suicide to the equation. I think it's going to happen, a suicide. I think it is an unbelievably emotional site."
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