FBI presses federal case after Sacramento ABC10 shooting; man held on federal charges following bail release

A Sacramento man was arrested by federal authorities Saturday on charges connected to a drive-by shooting at ABC10’s headquarters, hours after he was freed on bail on state counts. Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, was taken into federal custody on allegations that he interfered with government-licensed broadcast communications, authorities said. He remained in federal custody on a hold, with a federal court appearance scheduled for Monday in Sacramento, followed by a separate state court appearance Tuesday, according to the FBI and county jail records.

Police say the drive-by attack occurred Friday just after 1:30 p.m. at ABC10’s headquarters, striking the lobby window three times while the building was occupied. No injuries were reported. Investigators identified a vehicle linked to the shooting and moved to arrest Hernandez Santana at a River Park neighborhood address late Friday. He was initially booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on state charges including assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building and negligent discharge of a firearm. Bail was set at $200,000, and he posted bond Saturday before the FBI rearrested him and placed him on federal hold.

The case has drawn national attention due to its proximity to broader political tensions surrounding ABC’s handling of a late-night program and related protests. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive for the attack, and Hernandez Santana’s social media activity contains anti-Trump rhetoric, including posts that advocate the belief that elections were stolen. Officials stressed that while a link to the ongoing controversy over ABC’s scheduling remains under review, prosecutors have not established a motive tying the shooting to the network’s programming decisions.

Tegna, the owner of ABC10, issued a statement noting that all staff were safe and that security had been increased following the incident. “We can confirm that shots were fired into our station at KXTV earlier today. While details are still limited, importantly all of our employees are safe and unharmed. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and have taken additional measures to ensure the continued safety of our employees,” the company said. The FBI confirmed Hernandez Santana’s arrest on the federal counts in response to inquiries from media outlets following the shooting.

The shooting occurred amid broader public attention to ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a move that followed remarks by the host about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Industry reports described pressure on affiliates and corporate leadership, with Disney’s ABC network removing the show from the schedule and triggering demonstrations in Los Angeles and New York. Police said there were no demonstrations in progress at the time of the drive-by, though investigators are reviewing any possible connection to the earlier protests.

Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the attack, tweeting that any violence against journalists is an attack on democracy and that the state stands with reporters and staff who keep communities informed and safe. The statement underscored state officials’ support for public safety and press freedom during a period of heightened tension around media coverage of political issues.

The incident has underscored the vulnerability of media facilities during periods of political controversy. ABC10’s headquarters are located at 400 Broadway in Sacramento, and the attack damaged the lobby window as employees and visitors were present inside the building. TC News reports added that a heavy police presence, including a SWAT response, was observed at the apartment complex where Hernandez Santana had been staying, though investigators did not indicate that the same location was connected to the shooting.

Authorities continue to review surveillance footage, vehicle records and social media activity in an effort to determine a motive. The FBI noted that Hernandez Santana is facing federal charges of interfering with government-licensed broadcast communications, a habeas-related offense tied to the integrity and security of broadcast operations. Federal court records show the defendant is set to appear in Sacramento Monday at 2 p.m. local time, with a separate state court appearance scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m., according to the FBI and county jail records. Until those proceedings, prosecutors indicated they would maintain the federal hold.

As the investigation progresses, officials emphasized that there is no information confirming a direct link between the shooting and the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. They urged the public to avoid speculation and to rely on official updates as investigators gather more facts about the case. For ABC10 and other local outlets, the episode has prompted renewed attention to security protocols and emergency planning around media facilities amid ongoing political discourse.

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The FBI’s involvement underscores the federal government’s role in cases involving interference with broadcast infrastructure and communications networks. Lawyers and prosecutors have highlighted that any act believed to disrupt government-licensed broadcasting could trigger federal charges, given the critical role such systems play in public safety and national security. The broader political climate surrounding media decisions and late-night programming has put local law enforcement at the center of questions about how violence is contextualized within political discourse.

The Sacramento shooting follows a sequence of events that included demonstrations and public statements about ABC’s handling of the late-night program. Police reiterated that the motive behind the attack remains under investigation and that investigators are assessing whether there is any nexus to the protests or the programming dispute. As the federal case progresses, observers will be watching how prosecutors frame the charges and what evidence emerges about the defendant’s intent.

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Authorities are expected to provide further updates as court proceedings approach and as additional evidence is reviewed. The case remains a focal point for reporters covering the intersection of politics, media, and public safety in a time of heightened national conversation about the role of journalism in democracy.