Prosecutors have said that a man accused of firing shots at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento, California, may have been motivated by the network's suspension of talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel. Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, allegedly shot at the KXTV station on Friday, and court documents suggest a political motive.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho stated that there is “circumstantial evidence” of a political motive behind the shooting, noting that Hernandez “chose a very particular target” and left behind notes. The notes referenced the suspension of Kimmel, who had criticised the Trump administration's response to the killing of rightwing youth organiser Charlie Kirk.
According to a federal complaint, Hernandez wrote a note invoking late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and said that high-level officials of the Trump administration were “next”, specifically mentioning FBI director Kash Patel, deputy director Dan Bongino, and attorney general Pam Bondi. Law enforcement also found a weekly planner with a note reading “Do the Next Scary Thing” under Friday, and another note stating “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags.”
Hernandez’s X account was flagged for possibly violating rules against violent speech after a post expressed support for the death penalty against the man charged with killing Kirk, and suggested adding the death penalty for a president who incites an insurrection. State authorities arrested Hernandez initially, and the FBI arrested him after he was released on bail.
Federal prosecutors have charged Hernandez with possessing a firearm within a school zone, discharging a firearm within a school zone, and interfering with a radio communication station. He allegedly fired three shots through a window into the KXTV lobby and one from across the street. His lawyer, Mark Reichel, said Hernandez would plead not guilty and is entitled to due process.
Hernandez is described as a former political lobbyist who worked for over two decades as a legislative advocate. ABC's parent company Disney said Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return on Tuesday, explaining that the suspension was to avoid inflaming a tense situation. The station Hernandez allegedly fired on is owned by Sinclair, which said it will not carry the show.
