ABC10 television station located in Sacramento, California, affiliated with ABC and owned by TEGNA.
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Authorities apprehended a man following a drive-by shooting targeting an ABC-affiliated television station in Sacramento, California.
Identified as 64-year-old Anibal Hernandezsantana, he was taken into custody early Saturday morning. The Sacramento Police Department confirmed charges against him, including firing into an occupied structure, assault with a deadly weapon, and negligent discharge of a firearm. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office inmate database, Hernandezsantana was booked with a bail set at $200,000.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time, when law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire near the 400 block of Broadway, the location of the ABC10 station. Police reported that at least three bullets struck a window in the station’s lobby. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. Fortunately, the building was occupied during the attack, but no injuries were reported. ABC10 operates as an ABC affiliate under the ownership of TEGNA.
This shooting took place just one day after a protest outside the station, which was organized in response to ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show. Authorities have not yet established any link between the shooting, the protest, or the show’s suspension, and the investigation into the motive remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for TEGNA expressed relief that no employees were harmed and confirmed that security measures at ABC10 have been heightened in response to the incident.
“We acknowledge the arrest related to the gunfire directed at the KXTV building yesterday and are actively cooperating with law enforcement,” the spokesperson stated. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our staff remains our top priority as they continue delivering vital local news and information to the community.”
The shooting drew condemnation from journalists and media organizations alike. The Sacramento chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists described the attack as “devastating and intolerable.”
“As members of the journalism community, we want to emphasize that violence against media professionals is an attack on the entire community,” the chapter said in a social media statement. “Our thoughts are with those affected, and we urge everyone to support and protect the journalists who serve the public every day.”
Hernandezsantana is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 23, at 3 p.m. local time. It remains unknown whether he has secured legal representation.
