On a quiet Friday afternoon in Sacramento, the city’s media community was shaken by a sudden act of violence: gunfire striking the lobby window of the ABC10 television station building. The incident unfolded just after 1:30 p.m. on September 19, 2025, when at least three rounds were fired from outside the building on the 400 block of Broadway, sending shockwaves through the newsroom and the broader Sacramento community. Thankfully, despite the building being occupied—including an employee present in the lobby at the time—no one was physically harmed.
According to Sacramento Police Department spokesperson Officer Anthony Gamble, detectives responded swiftly to the scene and began a thorough investigation. Officers found evidence that at least three bullets had struck the lobby window, which faces Broadway, leaving visible holes that were later boarded up. Gamble told reporters, “At this time, I don't have any suspect information to release, and I don't know the motive. I don't know if this was targeted or a random act. But what I can tell is our detectives are on scene, they're going to be conducting a follow-up.”
The incident is being classified as a drive-by shooting. Witnesses and police reports indicate that a vehicle drove by the station, shots were fired into the building, and the vehicle then sped away. As of Friday evening, authorities had not released a description of the suspect vehicle or its occupants. Officers are actively seeking tips from the public, urging anyone who saw or heard anything unusual around the time of the shooting to come forward.
“We haven't had a lot of attacks on our media partners, and we'd like to keep it that way,” Gamble said during a press conference, echoing the concern felt by many in the journalism community. “This is unacceptable behavior. And so you know, to those that may have been responsible for this, and I hope you see this, we're not going to stop looking for you. This is unacceptable behavior. It's not going to be tolerated in Sacramento.”
The shooting comes at a tense moment for ABC10 and its staff. Just a day prior, on September 18, protesters had gathered outside the station in response to the ABC network’s suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over remarks he made regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The controversy had sparked numerous complaints and heightened emotions, though police have not established any direct connection between the protests and the shooting. Officer Gamble confirmed that the investigation would include a review of any recent threats made against the station, stating, “That is part of the investigation. They don’t know if it is related.”
Despite the dramatic circumstances, the response from law enforcement was prompt and methodical. Officers cordoned off the area, collected evidence, and began canvassing for witnesses. One man who works across the street at Horizon recounted hearing the shots: “Three shots got popped off. Was single shot, and then a slight pause and then two in rapid succession. And then that was about it.” Initially, he thought the noise was a backfire from a car or a pallet falling, only realizing later that it was gunfire.
Inside the ABC10 building, the mood was understandably tense. Employees, though physically unharmed, were shaken by the incident. The station’s parent company, Tegna, moved quickly to reassure staff and the public. Molly McMahon, a spokesperson for Tegna, issued a statement: “While details are still limited, importantly all of our employees are safe and unharmed. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and have taken additional measures to ensure the continued safety of our employees.”
Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the shooting and responded with a forceful condemnation of the attack. “While no injuries have been reported, any act of violence toward journalists is an attack on our democracy itself and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Newsom’s office posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We stand with reporters and staff who work every day to keep communities informed and safe!”
ABC10, also known as KXTV, is an affiliate of the national ABC network but is not owned by it—instead, it is part of the Tegna media group. This distinction became relevant in the wake of the Jimmy Kimmel controversy, as the Sacramento affiliate found itself at the center of national attention despite not being directly involved in the network’s programming decisions. The station had already faced a wave of public scrutiny and protest, a situation that only intensified after the shooting.
As investigators continue their search for answers, several key questions remain. Was the shooting a targeted attack linked to the recent protests and controversy, or a random act of violence? Was the perpetrator acting alone, or were others involved? And most importantly, what can be done to prevent such attacks on journalists and news organizations in the future?
For now, Sacramento police are urging vigilance and cooperation from the public. They have asked anyone with information—whether eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, or social media tips—to contact authorities. “They will take anonymous tips and they are looking again for that gunman who fired shots into the building,” reported KCRA 3, one of the local media outlets covering the story.
While the physical damage to the ABC10 building is being repaired, the psychological impact on the station’s staff and the broader media community lingers. As one ABC10 employee shared, “Everyone is okay physically, but really they’re just shaken up over this incident.” The sense of solidarity among journalists was palpable, with even competing news outlets expressing support for their colleagues at ABC10.
The drive-by shooting at ABC10 serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists and media organizations, especially during periods of heightened political and social tension. As Sacramento and its media outlets grapple with the aftermath, the focus remains on ensuring safety, supporting press freedom, and bringing those responsible to justice. The incident has galvanized calls for vigilance and respect for the vital role journalists play in keeping communities informed, even—perhaps especially—when the news hits close to home.
