ABC Station Shooter Arrested, Note Targets Trump Admin
ABC Station Shooter Arrested, Note Targets Trump Admin
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Prosecutors believe the suspect who allegedly opened fire on the ABC10 station in Sacramento on Friday was “politically motivated,” Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho told National Review, explaining that a search of the suspect’s vehicle yielded a note that criticized members of the Trump administration and appeared to reference the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The Sacramento Police Department executed a search of 64-year-old Anibal Hernandez Santana’s home, where they not only found the semi-automatic nine millimeter handgun he allegedly used to fire into the station multiple times, but also various pieces of evidence that suggest that he was motivated by anti-Trump animus. The arraignment, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was moved up to Monday afternoon because of the nature of the crime. Monday’s arraignment, however, was postponed because the suspect was still in federal court.
The DA’s office believes that “CK” stands for “Charlie Kirk,” leading officials to believe that “that there is evidence that this individual engaged in attacks on the media and the free press for political purposes.”
Ho said that the DA’s office is bringing three charges against Hernandez Santana, now on Tuesday, as he remains in federal custody. The charges include shooting at an occupied building, assault with a semi automatic handgun — both of which are felonies — and several counts related to the illegal possession of a firearm. Hernandez Santana was charged at the federal level on Monday, including possessing a firearm within a school zone, discharging a firearm within a school zone, and interfering with a radio communication station, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement.
The maximum penalty for the state charges is 17 years, which is much more than the suspect will face federally, Ho explained. The DA’s office is also requesting that the judge withhold bail.
Timeline
Hernandez Santana, a lawyer, retired lobbyist, and “educated liberal,” was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly shooting into the lobby of the station. There were employees inside the office when Ho opened fire Friday afternoon, but no one was injured. He was released after posting the $200,000 bail, but was rearrested by the FBI later that day to face federal charges. Authorities were able to track down Hernandez Santana via eye witness accounts and surveillance footage.
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“He should not be released because he’s a threat to the public,” Ho said.
“Obviously we wanted to get the crux of the charges, which is really shooting at an occupied building and at the end of the day, are the heart of the charges that carry the most accountability,” Ho said. “But as we go through the rest of the evidence and look at the big picture, we may come back and evaluate.”
Hernandez Santana’s lawyer, Mark Reichel, argued that the federal charges brought against his client represent political persecution, motivated by the fact that his client is a “educated liberal.”
“If you look at his social media, they’re going to say, ‘Boy, it sure shows that he’s liberal and left wing.’ So you think they’re [Trump administration] going to overlook something like that? I don’t think so,” he told KRCA 3.
FBI Director Kash Patel weighed in on the arrest on X.
“The FBI has taken into custody the suspect linked to the shooting into ABC10’s Sacramento station lobby under a federal hold for interference with licensed broadcasts,” he said. “Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.”
“I believe that a free press and a free media represents one of the pillars of our democracy. Any attack on that will not be tolerated in Sacramento,” Ho said.
What's Next
Ho did not rule out bringing hate crime charges against the suspect.
If convicted of all charges, Hernandez Santana could face a maximum sentence of up to 17 years in state prison, plus six years and $260,000 in fines for the federal charges.
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“They found a calendar that was attached to his refrigerator,” Ho told National Review. “On that particular calendar, for the date of September the 19th, he had written the following message for that date of the shooting: ‘Do the next scary thing.'”
There was another search warrant executed inside the suspect’s vehicle, where more evidence was uncovered. Authorities discovered an anti-Trump book, as well as a handwritten note, which read, “For hiding Epstein and ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, and AG Bondi. They’re next.” The handwritten note was signed with the initials “CK” and then the words “from above,” Ho explained.
The shooting came right after ABC suspended longtime late night host Jimmy Kimmel. ABC announced Monday that Kimmel will return to the air on Tuesday.
Hernandez Santana’s social media presence includes posts that are critical of the current administration, the late Charlie Kirk, and other conservative ideas and pundits.
One post on X, for example, reads, “I support the death penalty for Tyler Robinson. Absolutely, as soon as the fed criminal code is amended to add the death penalty for a president who refuses to step down after certified election results and/or incites an insurrection. This has been a PSA for democracy. Thank you,” dated September 16.
In another post, Hernandez Santana wished death on Trump.
“Where is a good heart attack when we need it the most?? Please Join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader,” reads the X post, dated September 18.
Hernandez Santana had also attacked private companies for bending to Trump administration pressure.
“The authoritarian oligarchy is now complete. CBS+ caving, big law firms in DC, the subservients FBI and AG, university presidents stepping down, fan boys SCOTUS, public radio, ICE goons. We are going to have to ‘fight like hell’. Rules don’t apply if election was stolen. FIGHT!” a July 18 post reads.
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