A troubling incident unfolded in Sacramento, California, where a 64-year-old man, Anibal Hernandez-Santana, was charged with opening fire on an ABC affiliate television station. The event occurred shortly after the late-night program “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was pulled from ABC affiliates nationwide, raising the specter of political violence.
On September 23, 2025, Hernandez-Santana allegedly fired three rounds into the building of the Sacramento-based station, fortunately resulting in no injuries. Investigators found a handwritten note at the scene, which has led authorities to consider a political motive behind Hernandez-Santana's actions. The note contained a stark warning: “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondie. They’re next.” Signed with the initials “CK” and the phrase “from above,” it is believed to reference Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist recently murdered.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho highlighted the circumstantial evidence pointing to Hernandez-Santana's political motivations. Ho stated, "We're still looking at investigating the case, but he chose a very particular target, and with the notes that he left behind and the target in place and the recent dismissal of the Jimmy Kimmel show, I think there’s circumstantial evidence there to show that this was politically motivated crime by this individual.”
The shooting's timing is significant, coming just days after ABC's decision to indefinitely remove “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its lineup. Kimmel had made controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassin being aligned with the political right, despite law enforcement officials identifying the attacker's ties to the far-left. Kimmel’s comments sparked outrage, especially among conservative audiences who accused him of spreading false claims about the assailant’s affiliations. In response to the backlash, Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of numerous ABC affiliate stations, ceased airing Kimmel’s program.
This sequence of events set the stage for Hernandez-Santana's alleged attack. National Review confirmed that he fired upon the station during the incident. Authorities have not yet confirmed if he has retained legal representation. The Post Millennial reported that Hernandez-Santana was initially released on bail but was re-arrested by the FBI, reflecting the case's ongoing and serious nature.
The incident has stirred conversations around media responsibility, political rhetoric, and public safety. As the case against Hernandez-Santana progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of a politically charged atmosphere and the importance of measured discourse in public communication.
