In Sacramento, California, a 64-year-old attorney named Anibal Hernandez Santana was apprehended after discharging multiple rounds into the lobby of local ABC affiliate ABC10. The incident, occurring shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, has stirred up significant anxiety about the security of media employees in an era of heightened political discord.
The drive-by shooting, which resulted in the shattering of lobby windows at least three times, happened the day following protests directed at ABC over the indefinite suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Although the building was occupied, there were no injuries reported. The Sacramento police promptly identified the suspect and traced his vehicle to his residence in the River Park neighborhood, where he was arrested later that evening, as detailed by The Post Millennial.
Initially, Hernandez Santana faced state charges including assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building, and negligent discharge of a firearm. His bail was set at $200,000. However, upon posting bail, federal authorities stepped in. The FBI arrested Santana on Saturday for allegedly interfering with government-licensed broadcast communications. He is currently held in federal custody and deemed ineligible for release, awaiting court appearances in both federal and state courts, according to the New York Post.
While a clear motive has not been officially confirmed, Hernandez Santana's social media presence exhibited anti-Trump sentiments, with one post stating, "Rules don't apply if election was stolen. FIGHT!” Investigators are also exploring the connection between the shooting and the previous day's protests, which were sparked by Kimmel's controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Tegna, the parent company of ABC10, assured that all employees were safe, unharmed, and that additional security measures were in place. “Shots were fired into our station, but all employees are safe and unharmed,” the company stated. Security protocols at affiliate stations nationwide are under review in response to the incident.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack, labeling it as an act of violence against journalists and a strike against democracy itself. He stressed the dangers media workers face amidst escalating political hostility.
Eyewitnesses described a heavy law enforcement presence during the arrest, with SWAT teams securing the area and neighbors expressing disbelief over the incident. One resident remarked on Hernandez Santana's typically quiet demeanor, while another recounted the tense moments prior to his compliance and arrest.
The shooting comes at a time when conservatives have been vocal about the potential consequences of incendiary rhetoric from liberal media figures and politicians, suggesting that such speech can lead to real-world violence.
As federal and local authorities continue their investigation, they are examining whether the attack was premeditated or random and if there's any connection to the weapon used. The incident underscores the danger when political tensions manifest in violent actions.
