Anibal Hernandez-Santana, 64, was re-arrested by the FBI on Monday, after being released from the Sacramento County Jail on Saturday, September 20, following the posting of a $200,000 bail. He is now facing federal charges for allegedly violating 47 USC 333, which prohibits willful or malicious interference with the communication of a station licensed by the U.S. government. Hernandez-Santana is currently on a federal hold and is ineligible for bail.
"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. Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X, Monday.
Hernandez-Santana was initially arrested Friday evening at a residence in the River Park neighborhood after being linked to a vehicle suspected in the drive-by shooting at the ABC10 (KXTV) station in Sacramento.
The shooting, which occurred on Friday at 1 p.m., resulted in at least three bullet holes in the station's lobby window, but no one was physically harmed.
He was released on Saturday after posting bail but was re-arrested hours later by the FBI on probable cause related to the federal statute.
His federal court appearance is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2 p.m., and he is also due in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Defense attorney Mark Reichel stated he was unaware of the federal charges and questioned the motives behind the federal arrest, suggesting investigators may be focusing on the suspect's extremist left-wing social media posts.
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A 64-year-old man, Anibal Hernandez-Santana, was arrested on Saturday, in connection with a drive-by shooting at the ABC affiliate station ABC10 (KXTV) in Sacramento, California, which occurred on Friday afternoon around 1:30 p.m, related to a protest the day before over the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's left-wing show.
Police reported that shots were fired from a vehicle near the ABC10 building at 400 Broadway, resulting in at least three bullet holes in the building's lobby window. The building was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported. The Sacramento Police Department stated that the FBI is assisting with the investigation.
The shooting occurred one day after about 15 far-left protestors gathered outside the station to protest ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show, a move prompted by Kimmel's comments about TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer.
Tegna, the parent company of ABC10, confirmed the shots were fired and stated all employees were safe and unharmed, emphasizing their full cooperation with law enforcement and the implementation of additional safety measures.
Hernandez-Santana was arrested on Saturday following an investigation that traced a vehicle seen at the scene to his residence in the 5400 block of Carlson Drive in the River Park neighborhood. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm, and shooting into an occupied building. His bail has been set at $200,000.
The suspect was later re-arrested by federal authorities. "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. Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X, Monday. He's reportedly currently ineligible for bail.
The 64-year-old suspect of Guatemalan origin, has a prior history of legal action. Records show he filed a lawsuit in February 2019 against the California Rural Indian Health Board Inc. (CRIHB) alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation. He is scheduled for his first court appearance on September 23, 2025.
California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom, who has faced criticisms for the rampant crime in the state, condemned the act, calling any violence against journalists an attack on democracy.
