Armando “Junior” Hernandez has been identified as the shooter carrying an AR-15 style rifle who attacked at least three people at the Westgate Entertainment District shopping center located in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday evening while filming it all on Snapchat.
According to local media, the man, who also goes by Armando Hernandez, was identified as the gunman by his own mother, who did a brief interview and confessed: “I have no idea why he did this.”
Hernandez recorded the horrific shooting with the lightweight semi-automatic rifle on a Snapchat video that was later posted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets like Reddit.
In the chilling video, Hernandez, who was wearing a mask to protect himself from the coronavirus, was seen in a car, and he looked directly at the camera and said his full name “Armando Hernandez” and went on to add: “I’m going to be the shooter of Westgate 2020.”
He eventually turned the camera around to reveal a rifle in the backseat and explained: “This is to get back to mean society, so let’s get this done.”
After parking his vehicle at the Westgate Entertainment District shopping center, he told his many viewers: “Let’s get this done, guys.” The hunting video also showed two instances where he is shooting at people.
Before shooting a woman, Hernandez said, “society is bull****.” The woman begged for her life and added: “I have nothing to do with that! you already shot me, dude!”
Police held a press conference where they gave an update on the victims of the Glendale shooting by saying: “One victim is in critical condition, and the other two have non-life threatening injuries. All are expected to survive.”
Governor of Arizona Doug Ducey released a statement on the sad event: “We are in close contact with Glendale officials tonight, and monitoring this incident as more information becomes available.
First and foremost, our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families impacted tonight, as well as the first responders and police officers who are on the scene. As we learn additional details, the state is here to continue to offer its full support to the victims and to the community.”
At least 2 injured at Westgate complex by a shooter w/ some kind of rifle. A suspect is in custody. Witness Juan Lopez describes to me what he saw. #12News pic.twitter.com/fgoeVVbCh6
— JOE DANA (@JoeDanaReports) May 21, 2020
He added: “The Arizona Department of Public Safety has been in regular communication with the Glendale Police Department, and the State of Arizona stands ready to provide any resources and support needed.”
Arizona State Senator Martin Quezada, who was present at the Westgate Entertainment District during the time of the shooting, called Hernandez a terrorist and added: “I just witnessed an armed terrorist with an AR-15 shoot up Westgate. There are multiple victims.”
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said this is not normal and the suspect has issues.
