Prosecutors: Sacramento gunman who fired on ABC10 had anti-Trump writings and a 'do the next scary thing' note

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A 64-year-old Sacramento man fired three shots into the lobby of ABC10’s Broadway headquarters Friday afternoon after an initial shot in the air toward the building, authorities said. No one was injured, and the gunman was taken into custody the same day on state charges, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. The shooting, which occurred just after 1:30 p.m., prompted a broader investigation into the motive behind the attack on a federally licensed broadcast facility.

Prosecutors said Anibal Hernandez Santana had handwritten notes in his car railing against President Trump and a calendar memo on his refrigerator dated Sept. 19 urging him to “do the next scary thing.” Investigators also found an anti-Trump book and a note that read “For hiding Epstein and ignoring red flags” during a search of his vehicle, district attorney Thien Ho said. The note named FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and Attorney General Pam Bondi and warned that those figures were “next,” Ho added. Santana was arrested on state counts of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building and negligent discharge of a firearm. He was released hours later on $200,000 bail before being rearrested by the FBI the following day. He now faces federal charges alleging interference with a federally licensed station and discharging a firearm within a school zone.

Evidence points to a politically motivated crime, Ho said, noting that investigators believe Santana was targeting multiple places and people. The district attorney signaled that authorities would seek to keep Santana in custody without bail as the cases proceed.

Santana’s defense attorney, Mark Reichel, said his client intends to plead not guilty in both state and federal matters. Reichel argued that federal prosecutors may use the case to fuel political narratives, saying, “I am certain the Trump administration and his DOJ dislikes his political posts on social media, and they will take any opportunity to take a state crime committed by someone who is considered ‘liberal’ and make it a federal offense to use it as political fodder.”

The shooting followed a moment of political tension in Sacramento. There had been protests outside ABC10 the day before in support of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after the late-night show faced criticism over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors did not say the Kimmel controversy was connected to the attack, and NBC News reported that there was no confirmation of a link between the shooting and ABC10’s suspension of Kimmel over those comments. There were no protesters outside the station at the time of the gunfire, the Sacramento Police Department said.

Santana, a former health policy analyst for the California Indian Health Board, had posted online content the day before the shooting that appeared to wish harm on Trump. Variety cited a post reading, “Where is a good heart attack when we need it??” The defense acknowledged the postings but stressed that the case should be adjudicated in accordance with the facts and law, not politics. A federal arraignment had been scheduled for Monday afternoon, and Reichel reiterated that he expects a not-guilty plea in the federal matter. The district attorney’s office did not indicate any changes to Santana’s custody status beyond the decision to pursue no-bail conditions pending trial.

The case has drawn attention to the intersection of political rhetoric, threats, and violence against media targets. Investigators indicated that the defendant had previously shown interest in high-profile political topics online, and officials cautioned readers not to jump to conclusions about motive before all evidence is examined in court. The ABC10 incident remains under investigation by local and federal authorities, with prosecutors emphasizing the seriousness of discharging a firearm in a public building and the potential impact on a federally licensed facility and its staff.

As the legal process moves forward, authorities will seek to reconcile state charges with federal allegations, all while the community awaits clarity on the shooter’s precise motive. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about threats to journalists and media infrastructure amid a highly polarized political environment, where online rhetoric can, in some cases, translate into real-world violence. The public and officials alike will be watching closely as prosecutors outline their cases in court and determine whether Santana’s actions constitute a broader pattern of politically motivated violence against media targets.