GLENDALE, Ariz. — Armando JR Hernandez is now facing charges after police say he shot three people at Westgate Entertainment District Wednesday night.
During Hernandez’s initial appearance, the prosecutor in the case said Hernandez told police he wanted to harm 10 people at Westgate, adding he told police he wanted to target couples because he wanted them to feel the pain he has.
“They have something he doesn’t have,” Clint Van Zandt, a former FBI profiler said.
Looking at Hernandez’s suspected actions, Van Zandt finds similarities to past shooters.
Before and during the shooting, Hernandez posted disturbing videos to social media. Those videos have been confirmed by the Glendale Police Department.
Van Zandt says the social media posts show his desire to get attention.
“This is a, ‘Look at me. People, society, you’ve put me down. You’ve shown me no respect.’ Here’s someone who thinks he can gain respect on the tip of a rifle. He is wrong,” Van Zandt said.
The prosecutor added Hernandez told police he has been thinking of carrying out a mass shooting at Westgate for at least three to four years.
“I would say there’s going to be some type of mental health challenge that this man has had,” Van Zandt said.
As for the timing, Van Zandt believes being away from others because of COVID-19 could be factor.
“It probably welled up inside of him,” Van Zandt said. “He’s been in this time warp for two months and he comes out, and everything’s the same. Nothing has changed. He still doesn’t have the things that other people have.”
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